Santander Bank Burglars Broke In Through Empty Store Next Door

The burglars who broke into Santander Bank on March 28 did so through a shuttered art dealership next door, according to police.

The basement of the vacant store, located at 2361 86th Street, was left in shambles by the heist, according to building owner Steven Sung.

“The bank fixed the wall, but I still have a hole in the ground and tons of garbage and bricks everywhere,” said Sung, who lives in New Jersey. “I’ll have to repair it if I’m going to rent it out.”

The crooks allegedly broke in through the front gate of the empty storefront and then sawed through a connecting basement wall and floor using power tools, police said. After gaining access to the bank’s vault, the burglars made off with several safety deposit boxes containing an undetermined amount of jewelry and valuables.

The store, which has been vacant since November, had sold porcelain vases, antiques, and Chinese prints. Sung said he tried to rent the location out in November, but securing permits to build a kitchen and turn the spot into a restaurant proved too complicated for the new vendor. Now Sung says he is eager to get the store off the market.

“If they really want to break in, they can break in, I’ve got to rent it out quick and that will deter them,” he said.

So far no arrests have been made, but police confirmed that a “major case” squad is currently investigating.