Three on the loose after stealing 170 pairs of jeans

BURBANK — Police detectives are searching for three thieves who stole 170 pairs of Levi jeans from a store on North Victory Boulevard two weeks ago.

Thieves used a garbage can to smash the front glass of the Newstar Active Wear on the 600 block of North Victory Boulevard, enter the store and steal about 170 pairs of jeans from the shelves at about 4 a.m. Aug. 8, Burbank police said.

The loss for the store was estimated at more than $4,000, according to the store’s owner, who did not want to use his name for fear of retribution.

“Our employees are really scared,” he said. “What am I supposed to do?”

Retail crime has risen this year due to decreased in-store staffing and the economic downturn, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Organized Retail Crime Survey. Thieves often sell stolen goods online — known as e-fencing — in flea markets and pawn shops.

Organized retail crime results in $15 billion to $30 billion in losses annually, according to the National Retail Federation.

The owner of Newstar Active Wear said this was the first time his store had been burglarized.

Since the burglary, the owner has improved his security system.

“I have more protection,” he said. “I don’t want it to happen again. I hope it doesn’t happen again.”

Police described the three men who broke into the store as 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall and 170 to 200 pounds.

One man wore a black hooded jacket with blue jeans; one wore a blue and white plaid shirt with gray pants; and one wore a black short-sleeved shirt with blue jeans and a black hat with a white stripe, according to police.