WASHINGTON — Yoga studios in the nation’s capital are on edge after a rash of burglaries targeting the studios where people go to stretch and relax.
Ten studios have been robbed since June 11. In many cases, the thieves have gotten their hands on cash kept inside.
Among the studios, Bikram Hot Yoga Ivy City, on Okie Street NE, was found ransacked. The manager Amber Speights said the studio has clear video footage of the robbery, which happened on June 22 in broad daylight.
In the video, Speights says a man can be seen breaking into the business and a cash register with a crowbar.
“There is video footage of him dumping the register money in his back pack,” Speights said.
Speights said the man spent a good deal of time in the studio and looked comfortable as he searched the location shortly after 10 a.m.
She believes the businesses could be a target because many don’t have security guards.
“I think it’s really horrible that they are targeting yoga studios,” Speights said.
D.C. police said in the robberies, cash and small electronics have been taken from the yoga studios.
Area gyms and yoga studios have been warned by police to make sure that their buildings are secure and that security systems are in place.
According to D.C. police, the burglaries have taken place in Northeast and Northwest DC:
- Saturday, June 11 — 1000 block of Florida Avenue, NE
- Wednesday, June 22 — 1500 block of Okie Street, NE
- Monday, June 27 — 1700 block of 14th Street, NW
- Monday, July 4 — 2300 block of 14th Street, NW
- Monday, July 4 — 1300 block of Florida Avenue, NW
- Monday, July 11 — 1400 block of 14th Avenue, NW
- Monday, July 11 — 1900 block of 14th Avenue, NW
- Wednesday, July 13 — 1000 block of Florida Avenue, NE
- Thursday, July 14 — 400 block of H Street, NE
- Sunday, July 17 — 3800 Northampton Street, NW
Investigators are trying to determine if any of the break-ins are related.
