Burglars tunnel through wall to steal $15K from South Jersey market

EGG HARBOR TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- A co-owner of a longtime produce market in Egg Harbor Township says burglars went to extreme lengths to steal more than $15,000, breaking through a concrete wall to get inside.

Dipen Patel, co-owner of M&S Produce Outlet, said the break-in happened sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, just two months after he purchased the market and deli on the Black Horse Pike.

"They came prepared to go after the money. To go through a concrete wall like this, it's not a small job," Patel said. "I'm guessing they used a jackhammer or something to break through."

Patel said the burglars disabled the power and surveillance cameras before forcing their way into the safe. He estimated the total damage at more than $50,000.

"It's a pretty heavy safe, pretty heavy duty. They took down the hinges and opened it up," he said. "I have two camera systems - one older system they took, and the newer system had a DVR mounted to the wall, and they took that too."

Patel believes the burglars may have had prior knowledge of the store's security setup.

"It feels like somebody with a current or past connection to the store," he said. "But if it's somebody I know, that's going to hurt a lot."

Despite the burglary, the market reopened the next day. Customers said they came out to show support for the owners.

"How did they know the money was there? That would be my question," said Wayne Tally of Mays Landing. "I come here all the time, I didn't know it was there. Sometimes you gotta look inside out."

"I hope they do find the people. I feel sorry for the owners," said John Hendorzak of Northfield.

Patel said he's choosing to stay focused on the future.

"I look forward, not past, so this will make us stronger. And we'll protect ourselves better," he said.

Egg Harbor Township police said they could not confirm or deny statements made by the victims, but confirmed the burglary is under investigation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact them.