Car prowler caught on camera; victim offers some advice



BURIEN -- After he was robbed once, a small business owner decided to install cameras that caught a thief on video stealing thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Kyle Vonder Haar says someone stole more than $10,000 worth of tools and equipment from his mobile hardware store in Burien.

"This is my livelihood. This is my entire income. It`s just me. He`s not stealing from Matco. It`s just me. I`m a franchise distributor," Kyle said.

Kyle installed cameras in hopes of preventing it from happening again, but just days later, a thief struck again.

Kyle said, "He was stupid enough to ignore the 24-hour surveillance stickers that I put up after the fact, so I got him on video."

The video clearly shows a crook grabbing one expensive tool after another. The thief leaves and then comes back for more about 10 minutes later.

Kyle gave the evidence to police and detectives posted the video online, which attracted a large number of tips that led to an arrest.

Kyle says he wishes he had installed the cameras much sooner.

"Do it sooner than later," he said. "Don`t be me. Take me as an example and just go get it done. Even if it`s just for your home. Get something put up."