Pair of kids stole more than $1,700 in vapes from Derry Township convenience store, police say

Pennsylvania State Police say a pair of masked children smashed their way into a Sunoco convenience store in Derry Township and stole more than $1,700 worth of vapes.

A 12-year-old and 14-year-old are facing burglary and theft related charges. Authorities have not released their names.

Surveillance footage from the early morning hours of Aug. 7 shows two people walk up to Choice Tobacco Outlet along Route 217. A person in a black hoodie and mask throws a rock through a glass door. Another person wearing a white bandana over their face follows the hooded figure inside the closed store.

Then, they run behind the counter and start stuffing their pockets. According to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office, the juveniles were stealing Raz disposable vapes.

Eusman Sarwar, owner of Choice Tobacco Outlet, told TribLive news partner WTAE eight to 10 boxes of these vapes were stolen, and each device sells for up to $35. The total damages were $5,000, according to Sarwar.

It’s the second time the store has been burglarized since it opened eight months ago.

“We are hard-working people,” Sarwar told WTAE. “We go to work pretty much every day. We put in almost 12 hours every day, seven days a week. It’s kind of sad that it’s happening to us on this site.”

Sarwar also called on Derry Township, which relies on coverage from state police, to assemble a force of its own.

“We need actually local police to protect this place,” he said. “We want it to stay open.”