San Luis Obispo, CA -- On February 1 at approximately 5:30 in the morning the San Luis Obispo Police Department received a call from the manager of the Skate Warehouse on South Higuera Street.  He stated he had just arrived at work and saw flashlights inside the warehouse and could hear rustling noises inside.  Prior to contacting the police the manager had entered the warehouse and turned on the lights but did not see the suspects.  Before police arrived it appears the suspects exited the warehouse and fled the area through a chain link fence that had been cut open. 
 
The suspects gained entry to the business by cutting a hole in a large metal rollup warehouse door.  Officers were able to view video of the parking lot, which shows a white van arriving and departing prior to receiving the call from the manager. 
 
Stolen from the business was a large amount of skate shoes.   Employees of the Skate Warehouse are completing an inventory to determine the total loss.
 
This is the fourth reported commercial burglary involving a warehouse of a shoe supplier.  San Luis Obispo Police Investigators believe the suspects committing these crimes are part of an organized crime group out of southern California.  It is believed the group is often made up of four or more suspects and transports the stolen property in a white cargo type van.  These vans are often stolen near the reported burglary.  Investigators are working closely with southern California law enforcement agencies who are investigating similar commercial burglaries.
 
The San Luis Obispo Police Department is encouraging business owners to make sure their business is properly secured at night and alarm systems activated.  Anyone who sees suspicious activity near businesses in the late or early morning hours is encouraged to contact the police department.