Crooks break into a Van Nuys store that sells Byrna self-defense weapons, including non-lethal weapons

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Thieves broke into a Van Nuys store that sells self-defense equipment, including non-lethal pistols and other weapons.

NakeStores sells Byrna self-defense products such as non-lethal firearms, non-lethal rifles, pepper sprays and other self-defense items – weapons that could prove dangerous in the wrong hands.

Shop owner Mike Mahfoud said it was the second time in almost exactly a year that his store had been broken into.

Five burglars broke into the store at around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday and were in no hurry as they ransacked the shop.

“They basically took their time – 22 minutes,” Mahfoud said. “A total of about 20 to 22 minutes, from the time they broke in until they disappeared.”

He said the situation was stressful.

“We’re running to your company to find out what’s going on, to see what’s missing and how to fix it. Right now we need to reinforce the entire site,” he said.

The LAPD told Eyewitness News they received the call at 3:40 a.m., but did not specify when officers arrived at the scene. They said officers reported the crime as “all over” at 4:10 a.m.

Mahfoud said he was frustrated by the break-in, but not necessarily by the police response time.

“I mean, they’re doing their best,” he said. “But the robbers, the burglars, they don’t care.”

Mahfoud said he was still taking inventory of the stolen goods, but confirmed that the thieves stole several boxes of his products.

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