HOUSTON — A south Houston fireworks stand hopes to make up for lost revenue after thieves stole their merchandise the day before the Fourth of July.
Vanessa Cortina told KHOU 11 News that her entire family manages the stand on the 18300 block of Almeda. On Wednesday, they worked to restock the shelves after they said burglars ran away with nearly $12,000 worth of fireworks.
“It’s really devastating because tomorrow is the Fourth of July and people are expecting fireworks and how are we supposed to do that if it gets stolen,” she said.
Cortina explained that her mother first realized something had happened overnight or early Wednesday morning when she arrived at 6 a.m. and saw that some of the stand's metal siding had been pried open.
“It was shocking. We’ve been doing this for going on three years and this is the first time we’ve ever been broken in,” Cortina said.
According to the family, a witness who works at the market next door later sent them images of a small, dark vehicle he saw near the stand Wednesday.
When KHOU 11 News contacted the witness, he confirmed that he saw several men with their hands full getting into a car and driving away.
Cortina said she wouldn’t be taking any chances with the new inventory they received from a supplier.
“Somebody will be staying tonight,” she said. “Tomorrow, hopefully, we sell out, that’s our big hope.”
The owner of the fireworks stand, Fantasy Fireworks, told KHOU 11 News they will offer a $5,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest in the case.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office burglary and theft unit has launched an investigation. Any tips can be reported to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at (713)-221-6000.