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Thieves smash window, swipe register from popular NoDa ice cream shop

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The owner of a popular ice cream shop in NoDa is out hundreds of dollars after thieves broke into the business late Monday night.

Surveillance video from PopBar on North Davidson Street shows two young men smashing the store's front window with a cinder block around 11:30 p.m. before reaching through the glass and unlocking the door.

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They could then be seen running into the shop and grabbing a cash register drawer before dashing out the door.

Owner Kia Lyons said the drawer was later found empty in the YMCA's parking lot nearby.

Lyons told Channel 9 she got an alert on her phone from the alarm company and when she got there, there was glass all over the ground.

She said the thieves got away with less than $300, but that money is used to carry them through the winter since the shop is open year-round.

"It’s only less than $300, but we’re a family business and so it affects us," she said.

Lyons said she never imagined this would happen to her, and when she watched the security video, she felt violated.

"Just a lot of anxiety. I know there has been a lot of break-ins in NoDa in the past. You never think it’ll be your turn, but it happened to me, too," Lyons said.

NoDa business owner Anthony Lane told Channel 9 it comes with the territory.

"Any area that’s attractive will attract all types of people and things happen, so protect your business. Protect your assets," Lane said.

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Although PopBar will be closed for a few days for repairs, Lyons said her fellow business owners are stepping up to help any way they can.

"That comforts me to know that we have people in the area that are supporting us," she said.

Channel 9 tracked down a handful of robberies in the area.

Thieves hit Jenni's Ice Cream Shop just a few blocks away twice last month, but police have not said if the crimes are related.