TYLER, Texas — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a burglary at a Best Buy Friday morning.
According to Tyler PD, at about 2:32 a.m., officers arrived at the Best Buy located at 5514 S. Broadway Ave. in reference to a commercial alarm.
"When [officers] arrived on the scene, they observed that the front doors had been damaged by pry bars and their gate inside the doors was was up. So immediately that they'd been compromised. They cleared the building, they didn't find anyone inside," Tyler PD Public Information Officer Don Martin said.
According to a store representative, a "large number" of Apple computers and watches had been stolen.
The store surveillance video shows two vehicles, a white compact SUV and a silver 4-door Sedan possibly a Camry, pulled up to the front of the store.
Police say in the video six suspects forced entry with a long crowbar, wearing hoodies and gloves. The video also shows that the burglars were in and out of the building in about five minutes.
Investigators believe this is an organized crime ring that has struck numerous Best Buy retail stores recently in the state of Texas.
"We also know through our intelligence with other agencies that numerous Best Buy's throughout the state of Texas, even Oklahoma, have been struck as well. So we know that there's one or multiple groups of people that are organized. And this is their Mo...We already know Longview's been struck," Martin said.
Martin said he does not believe local business owners should be concerned due to the nature of the crime.
"We know that, again, this is an organize crime ring, and they are targeting Best Buy. Our message to other Best Buy's for law enforcement is is 'Hey, Tyler has now been struck as well,'" Martin said.
Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).
Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.