• Videographers and production studio owners in Seattle report repeated break-ins targeting expensive camera equipment
• Losses range from tens of thousands to nearly $400,000 per incident
• Some owners now sleeping inside studios and using firearms to deter suspects
• Frustration grows over police response times and lack of resources
• Suspects captured on surveillance video using flashlights and carrying out large cases of gear
Seattle, Washington — Videographers and production studio owners in Seattle say they are being repeatedly targeted by thieves stealing high-value camera equipment, prompting some to arm themselves and even sleep inside their workplaces to prevent break-ins.
The incidents, reported in neighborhoods including Interbay, have resulted in tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses and growing frustration over response times and resources.
Derek Klein, owner of Olympic Studios, said his business was hit in a March 10 break-in captured on surveillance video showing masked suspects using flashlights and carrying out large cases of camera gear. He estimates about $50,000 in equipment was stolen.
Days later, Klein said he recognized a vehicle connected to another Seattle burglary shown in a news report and matched it to his security footage, believing it’s the same group.
Klein noted that the thefts are not isolated, describing a tight-knit community of creative professionals where multiple studios have been targeted.
Just blocks away, Tenacious Ventures studio also suffered a major loss. Director and engineer Chris Hunter said nearly $400,000 worth of equipment was stolen during a November break-in, including about 25 computers, ancillary gear and high-end cameras.
Hunter said thieves attempted to strike again recently but were unable to get into his studio, while another nearby production company was hit.
Fearing another attempt, Klein slept inside his business and said his suspicions were confirmed when suspects returned. The suspects peeked into the business, made eye contact with Klein and a friend, and fled after seeing they were armed with shotguns and rifles.
The incidents have left business owners feeling unsafe and unsupported. Klein said tensions are high and he does not feel supported in the city. Hunter expressed frustration with the pace of investigations, noting that time is of the essence.
Hunter added that police officers have cited a lack of manpower as a key issue. A Seattle police spokesperson acknowledged that delays can feel lengthy to victims, noting that in the November burglary involving $400,000 in losses, officers had to wait two months for fingerprint results.
Some stolen equipment has surfaced online, with Hunter tracking down items on Facebook Marketplace, as well as at a storage unit and a pawn shop.