Thieves steal $14K in tools, equipment from SW Houston auto shop

HOUSTON – The owner of an auto body repair shop said he is out $14,000 worth of equipment after four men burglarized his business.

"They took a lot," said Mohamed Abou Taleb, as he reviewed surveillance video, which shows three men inside of Alpha International Auto, which is located in the 10700 block of South Main.

"They spent like, close to two hours," Abou Taleb said, adding a fourth man waited outside.

The alleged theft occurred Monday.

Abou Taleb said the men hopped a fence from the back of his business and broke locks to his garage doors in order to gain entry.

Abou Taleb accused the group of cutting power to lights outside of the business. They neglected to do the same inside, allowing surveillance cameras to record their every move.

WATCH: Alpha Auto Center burglary surveillance video

"We're trying to find out who these guys are," Abou Taleb said, hoping surveillance images will help Houston police nab the four men linked to the crime.

"They took what it took me 30 years to build, they took it in one night," Abou Taleb said.

Abou Taleb created flyers with the surveillance images printed on them. He said he passed them out throughout the neighborhood and area pawn shops. He's offered a $500 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest.

"This is a big hit, yes. We cannot take stay in business with this kind of behavior," he said.