Thieves Rob Local Beverage Shop by Cutting Out Small Hole in Back

is the latest Cumming business to be robbed.

Thieves apparently forced their way in by cutting a small hole in the back wall of the store located on Highway 9 across from . It is suspected that the robbery happened in the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 4, according to a news release by Sgt. Bryan Zimbardi with the .

The thieves allegedly crawled into the opening, not much larger than an 8X10 sheet of paper, and made their way into the store.

The owner, John Chi, told Cumming Patch he was notified of the break-in by his security company at 6:12 a.m., authorities were notified a minute later. Chi said police officers were on the scene within five minutes. But it was too late.

The thieves took several cartons of cigarettes, jewelry, antique coins and several rolls of Georgia Lottery Scratch-Off Tickets and a large amount of cash.

Chi would not give a specific amount, but did say it was, "a lot of money."

The Criminal Division of the Cumming Police Department is actively pursuing the case.

Surveillance tape from the store is being reviewed in an effort to identify the suspects. Chi is also working with the Georgia Lottery to trace and deactivate the missing tickets.

This is the third similar case involving entry to a business via a hole cut into exterior/interior walls, said Zimbardi.