Brazen thief strikes at Indy Dr. Tavel stores, steals thousands of dollars in designer frames

Indianapolis, Indiana – This was not the first time in recent weeks that a blatant thief had targeted an eye care facility on the northeast side.

On Thursday morning, the robber was captured on camera smashing the front glass of Dr. Tavel, which is located in the Meadows at 2940 E. 38th Street. The man entered the store for only a few minutes before smashing the front glass.

More than $5,800 worth of frames were taken by him, according to corporate officials. The same individual is thought to have broken into the store on November 26, December 6, and December 14, as well as on December 25 at the East 10th Street location.

The family-run firm has been unwelcomely distracted by the thefts.

“We are an 80-year-old family location,” said Kyle Iglehart, general manager at Dr. Tavel. “We’re focused on serving the community. We don’t want to be dealing with this. It’s just a distraction from what we really want.”

The company said that it had recovered over $25,000 worth of stolen frames from Coach, Versace, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Ray-Ban. During the Dec. 25 robbery, the criminal had an accomplice and spent around two minutes in the business each time.

Store representatives are requesting that anybody who recognizes the man get in touch with Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS (8477) or the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.