Vancouver drone store repeatedly targeted by thieves

Drones Plus, a Las Vegas-based unmanned aerial vehicle retailer, says its Vancouver location has been the target of thieves three times in the past two weeks.

The latest incident came early Sunday morning when security cameras recorded what appears to be a white sedan trying to back its way through the store's front doors, which is located at 1710 West 4th Avenue.

"Everytime we get brokeninto it's an unfortunate situation," said Mike Thorpe who speaks for the company from Las Vegas. "We have to get brand new front doors that aren't cheap."

• Drones Plus employee robbed

On September 1, Thorpe says an employee working the front desk had her wallet and passport stolenby a man whodistracted her before swipingher valuables.

Things seemed to escalate from there.

Two days after that initial incident, security cameras also recorded what appears to be at least two people in the store in darkness loadingdrones and other equipment into dark bags.

Thorpe says all threeincidents have been reported to police and officers are investigating.

"The VPD have been just excellent," he said while also hoping the public will provide tips to police to aid in their investigations.

Still the latest incident, involving the sedan trying to break through the front door, has the company rattled.

"I can't believe what people will do," said Thorpe.

He says drones are exploding in popularity across North America, making them also a hot commodity on the black market.

Thorpe hopes the robberies stop, but the storeis adding additional security to deter thieves.