$16K In Louis Vuitton Stolen In Overnight Madison Ave. Robbery

MELROSE, MA — An overnight string of break-in attempts hit four stores in Melrose, leaving smashed glass and frightened store owners in its wake the morning of one of the most important local shopping days of the year.

Madison Ave., Perella Jewelers, Liberty Bell, and Honey Dew were all targeted early Friday morning, according to business owners and employees. Melrose High also reported a window had been smashed in the rear of the school.

Madison Ave., a high-end boutique, was hit the hardest. Police said the store was robbed of 15 Louis Vuitton bags totaling $16,100.

There was no entry made in at least Honey Dew and Perella, the latter of which instituted safety glass after a 2010 break-in. All three of the other stores told Patch nothing was taken.

The break-in attempts happened around 3 a.m., according to police.

For Madison Ave., the timing couldn't be worse. Home for the Holidays kicks off Friday night and lasts into Saturday, a festive time where residents are encouraged to shop small at local businesses.

For now, would-be customers will be greeted to a large piece of wood of one of the front glass panels. At least four people were told the store was closed when they entered in the short time Patch was there Friday morning.

"Not good," Murphy told Patch inside her disheveled store. Murphy, who has owned the store for two years, was expecting a wave of customers this weekend. Now the store will be closed through at least Saturday, she'll have to replace a window, and she'll have to replace inventory.

"This weekend is usually very good for us," Murphy said. "This is our biggest time of year."

Madison Ave., known for its designer handbags, has the most expensive inventory in Melrose, aside from the jewelers, Murphy said.

Paul Perella, who has owned Perella Jewelers for 23 years, was having new safety glass installed when he told Patch no one got in. But the surveillance video he saw of a frustrated would-be burglar smashing a hammer against the window gave him chills.

"Made my heart pound watching that," he said.

Lauren Grymek, executive director of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, was at Honey Dew in the late morning, not far from where cardboard covered a small window that was smashed.

"I feel just awful for the small businesses," she said, noting how important the time of year was. "The retailers go into a quiet time after the holidays."

Many of the businesses donate gift cards and items. Honey Dew sponsors local Little League, she said.

Surveillance images from Madison Ave. show two people outside the building at 2:47 a.m., both wearing dark jackets and gloves, one with a black hood over their head, and the other appearing to be a white male wearing a dark baseball hat.

Murphy said she reported to police two guys "casing" out the store late at night a month ago. She's got six surveillance cameras - she shared video with police Friday morning - and alarms.

A woman she was with at the store, who declined to give her name, said she was disappointed in the police presence in the downtown area. The nearby police station is almost visible from the storefront.

"I'd like to see more of a police presence," she said.

It was the police who alerted Murphy and the others to the break-in attempts and robbery. She got a call around 4 a.m., and the longtime Melrose-turned-Medford resident went straight to the store, finding broken glass everywhere.

Building landlord Steve Trulli, who Murphy praised as being incredibly helpful, had been sweeping the glass up.

Murphy hopes customers stay patient. She'll rebound, she said.

"And more than ever, support local business," the other woman said.

Police ask anyone who saw anything to call Melrose Police at 781-665-1212.

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Surveillance video from Madison Ave. Photos by Mike Carraggi, Patch