SEATTLE — Seattle Supersonics legend and NBA Hall of Famer Shawn Kemp is affectionally known as the “Reign Man.” But now, he says, he is a robbed man as well.
On Saturday morning, he said a “Kemp’s Cannabis” store, located in an old bank branch in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood, was broken into by a sophisticated burglar who was likely using stolen fire department-issued lifesaving tool.
“I think we’re gonna have to look into some other types of security, because a lot of times the police do not show up to these, these small claims and it is a big claim to us,” Kemp, who owns two different stores in Seattle said.
Kemp and his co-investors have spent big money on reinforcing the former bank building on First Avenue South, outfitting it with a giant bollard, two layers of doors, and a steel gating on entry points. There are likely more cameras inside and outside the building than in an NBA arena Kemp once played in.
But that didn’t stop someone from driving up on the sidewalk outside the business at 6:15 a.m. Saturday to carry out a lengthy, and methodical, burglary in broad daylight. Videos show the masked burglar park a green truck, jump out of the vehicle, and disable a camera outside. The burglar then used an axe, and what appears to be the hydraulic rescue tool known by firefighters as the “jaws of life” to break through the glass and gates of the business.
Once inside, the burglar went to the ATMs where he can be seen prying them open with the jaws of life to pull out the cash. He then carries the money to his vehicle before returning once again to grab merchandise, break display cases, and take more items.
Surveillance video shows the burglar was inside the business for 20 minutes. Officers with the Seattle Police Department can be seen entering the building more than an hour after the break-in began.
“We’re hoping that somebody out here in the community can come and give us some information and support the story,” said Kemp. “If they see some of our products or sell or anything like that, please get a hold of us or the state.”
When asked if he felt like he’d been targeted because of his basketball history, Kemp replied, “Could be, could be, but I think it’s more of just, just desperate people these days, desperate times.”
Kemp’s co-owners expressed extreme frustration with the response while acknowledging that Seattle police do not respond to simple alarm calls.
“I just think a lot of people understand that police aren’t going to be doing much, and they understand that response time is slow,” said Tran Du, who co-owns and manages the daily business. “They know that the city is underfunded, and they know that cannabis businesses are cash-heavy. So we’re a prime target but the city isn’t helping us at all.”
“There’s a lot of damage here, and we’re held responsible for it, and this is another increased cost that the business has to bear,” he said. “Do we really have to wait until somebody gets hurt before the city takes action to protect the businesses that are paying taxes to the city, to the state?”
Seattle police confirmed the Saturday morning burglary and have reviewed the video, noting the first 911 call came in at 7:15 a.m., officers were en route by 7:19 a.m. and on scene by 7:22 a.m., which is 7 minutes after the call.
An SPD spokesperson cited the current policy for responding to burglary alarms.
“We require alarm companies to be licensed and use enhanced call verification prior to requesting police dispatch,” a spokesperson said. “We require physical evidence of a need for a police dispatch to consider an alarm call valid (an alarm signal, open doors, or open windows are not considered valid alarms).”
“It makes you think, but I think we do pretty good business here,” Kemp said. “I’m involved with some good partners, and we enjoy working with each other. We’re not gonna quit. Obviously, we’re gonna keep doing business, but we still want to alert people what’s going on and definitely up our security.”
Kemp also said he still loves Seattle.
Via KOMO NEWS