Hot Heat Sneakers robbed in smash and grab

LARGO, Md. - A sneaker shop in Maryland says they were hit overnight by thieves. 

Hot Heat Sneakers in Largo Plaza was robbed overnight, just over a year after they were robbed of $70,000 worth of merchandise in October of 2023. 

FOX 5 DC's Stephanie Ramirez spoke with the parents of the store's co-owners, who say the store may not survive this latest robbery. 

"This has been hit now three times," said Donald King, the father of one of the co-owners. "I dont know how a young business person can be successful if they're constantly being struck by thieves and there's no consequences."

Security told FOX 5 DC that the robbery happened around 1:30am, when three suspects cut through the bars to the store and one suspect went through. The suspects allegedly pulled a car up to the window and loaded what they had stolen. 

The co-owner's parents spoke with FOX 5 because the owners themselves were too upset, questioning whether keeping the business open is even worth it anymore. 

"We hate this for them. We hate this for our community, but we're proud of the strength our sons," added Barbara Eubanks. "We want better for all of our community, even the people who do stuff like this. They doing this 'cause they feel like they gotta do this. But there's a better way to build a life. They might not know that but we want them to know that."

The store sits in a plaza in Kettering, and is surrounded by several locally owned businesses as well as big box stores.  

Prince George's County police told FOX 5 that just this week, six stores in the area have had similar breaking and entering thefts that they are investigating. 

The department says it is actively investigating the Hot Heat Sneakers case, and trying to figure out if the same people are behind all the robberies.