Firework stands targeted by criminals

Amarillo, TX - Criminals are targeting firework stands in the area as Fourth of July quickly approaches.

As the operators of a stand off of Western were sleeping Sunday night, someone cut the lock of their door, entered and stole more than two thousand dollars worth of fireworks.

"We come out here every year knowing that there is that possibility of somebody breaking in, you we are here twelve days. We sleep out here, we live out here, this becomes our home during this time period," said Jennifer Scaffe, the operator of the firework stand.

It is the second stand within the same company to be hit within just a few days in Amarillo.

After a quick stop at their stand, Scaffe says they got away with plenty.

"This time they managed to steal over the course of you know, one little visit in our stand 25-hundred dollars worth or products," said Scaffe.

Fireworks are on sale until Wednesday at midnight and until then, Scaffe suggests all firework stands take precautions.

"Pull your cars up to the doors, lock everything up tight, these guys are out there and if we are the second Mr. W stand that's been hit there is every possibility that you know the other stands from the other competitors are being hit as well," added Scaffe.

Chris Wray, who operates a firework stand just down from Scaffe says after hearing about the break in, they will increase security.

"We are doing our best to make sure someone is here all the time, 24 hours. Make sure we are lit up and if we hear any kind of noise, anyone moving around we know. Of course we are protected inside, we are armed. So we can defend ourselves pretty good," said Wray.

"We'll lock everything and we will make sure the firearms are handy, if they decide they are coming back," added Scaffe.

If someone is caught breaking into a firework stand they can be charged with burglary of a building.