The day is already here when it’s possible to identify criminals based on their DNA trail—they don’t have to leave fingerprints, just being there sheds DNA. It’s not that long in the offing when crimes like these will be cheap to solve. The store probably had many thousands of dollars in damage and the sense of safety of employees shaken. I look forward to the tech companies bringing cheap DNA tracking for crimes like this to market. (It’s already possible, mainly the ethical implications must be worked out.)

Problem is that you'll find trace DNA from every customer who visited the store over a period of weeks

This is not a smash and grab. I presume it's the store manager's job to make sure the cash boxes are put in a safe before closing the store. Somebody knew that didn't happen. Somebody knew just where to go to get it in less than 3 minutes. Somebody knew how long it takes for police to arrive at 5 AM. Most smash and grab take obvious valuables -- cigarettes, booze. Somebody knew where that box was and how to grab it. Just sayin. Hello tip line?

The CVS is staffed by a cashier of one. The place is a veritable cave with lotions on the shelves. I feel really sorry for the low wage cashiers. No equipped by wage, experience or knowledge. God can’t find the foot fungal powder and can’t locate a staffed helper either. I usually walk out w nothing after 15 minutes of searching for help or the product I walked in to buy. I say to my kids. Stealing a lipstick is dumb it’s what makes low wage workers expendable & get them fired for something most did not sign on for. Unless of course, inside burn.

At least this incident wasn't a violent crime that involved a physical assault of an individual.

Losing $800.00 is a drop in the bucket to CVS and doesn't buy much nowadays.

@Silverlinings “ I look forward to the tech companies bringing cheap DNA tracking for crimes like this to market.”@Reallyliveshere “Problem is that you'll find trace DNA from every customer who visited the store over a period of weeks” case in point that one of many customers is me dragging my black shied feet through ghost isles, looking for foot fungal powder!

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@Native to the BAY...the Midtown Round Table is permanently closed?

So sad as this is endemic to CA in general with our loose laws on theft. A huge Whole Foods in SF closed only recently just after a mere 18 months of opening due to out of control theft & violence. PA is no different, soon CVS & others will grow discouraged and leave. In other locales Target stores and Walgreens are already abandoning some cities. Progressive (read: regressive) polices do not work.... still we persist. For much of this permissiveness you may give a large measure of gratitude to the likes of George Soros. PA you have my condolences.

Why are there so many crimes like this in Midtown? Is it simply due to easy access for criminals turning off of Oregon looking for crimes of opportunity?

Cameras got so many details they could tell it was a sledge hammer. Not a ball peen hammer, not a claw hammer, not a mallet -- but a sledge hammer. But NO details about the perpetrators. Huhhhhh

" Is it simply due to easy access for criminals turning off of Oregon looking for crimes of opportunity?"

@Anne, I think it's more having a convenient escape route to 101 after the crime's been committed.

Why are things like this happening more and more? Because there is minimal pursuit of wrong-doers and minimal consequences if one is caught.

People respond to incentives. It's that simple.

CVS and Walgreens opened way too many stores in their days of wild expansion.
Given the empty shelves, I would guess that Midtown CVS is a failing store regardless of crime.

"For much of this permissiveness you may give a large measure of gratitude to the likes of George Soros."

^ And on the other side of the spectrum repressive conservatives have billionaire real estate mogul Harlan Crowe as their George Soros.

Midtown CVS has always been an excellent store with an excellent pharmacy. I’ve been a happy customer for well over a decade.