Thieves target Minneapolis hardware store

Thieves targeted a south Minneapolis hardware store Wednesday morning, and it was caught on camera.

Store surveillance video showed two men cut a lock to the parking lot at Welna Ace Hardware on Bloomington Avenue. The men then broke into a propane tank cage, stealing about 20 tanks.

The loss is valued at $1,000.

The Minneapolis Police Department is investigating.

Store management claims crime is up after a homeless encampment went up across the street in an abandoned Speedway gas station.

"It’s an uneasy feeling," manager Sam Welna said. "With this across the street and everything else, it’s gotten to be a lot."

KSTP contacted Speedway for comment but has not heard back.

The city of Minneapolis issued the following statement:

"People with concerns about encampments like this that are located on private property need to contact the property owner or call 311. The City can then work with the property owners to address the encampments."