Photography store burglarized

EAST COUNTY — Local business owner LaMoyne Johnson went from an all-time high to an all-time low in a matter of days.

Heading into Memorial Day weekend, the longtime business owner anxiously twiddled his thumbs, as he awaited the news that arrived from Manatee Chamber of Commerce May 23: His business, Johnson PhotoImaging, had won the chamber’s 2013 Small Business of the Year Award in the $1 million to $5 million category.

Just three days later, May 26, he received a call from his security company, alerting him the business had been compromised. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived within seven minutes, but the damage already had been done. Burglars broke in and took more than $100,000 in cameras and camera lenses in a matter of minutes.

“It’s been quite an emotional rollercoaster this week,” Johnson said. “(With the win), your feet hardly touch the ground. Then, reality sets in and you go to the absolute bottom.

“They broke in through the drive-up window,” he said. “Everything was covered in glass. They cleaned us out pretty good.”

By mid-week last week, Johnson had already restocked the bulk of the missing inventory. Johnson said the camera and lens manufacturers with which he does business — Cannon, Nikon, Tamron and Sigma — worked hard to restock the store’s supply, diverting orders going to other stores, in some cases, to help.

Johnson said he has installed security cameras since the burglary, but realizes the new equipment only will help catch criminals after a robbery occurs. Neighboring businesses on his street, located just east of Braden River High School along State Road 70 frontage, have nearly all been robbed at some point. This robbery was Johnson’s first since opening in 2009.

Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Dave Bristow said no arrests had been made in the case as of press time Tuesday.

“We’re following some leads,” Bristow said.

Johnson said he is thankful the store’s customers and business partners have been understanding while the photography store regroups.

“You either have to continue on and go as if it never happened or pack your bag and quit,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to semi-retire, but I’m not ready to hang up yet. You’ve got to roll with the punches you get.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].