DALLAS - The upkeep and cleanliness of Sam Farah's convenience store could rival any in North Dallas.
"You don't think this store is in Oak Cliff," Farah said proudly of his investment.
But, crime is crippling his investment in the 3000 block of East Illinois Ave.
"Shoplifting is killing me," Farah added. "Shoplifting is killing me."
He said it costs him about $3,000 a month.
With 16 surveillance cameras inside and out, he has the video to prove it. Last week, a mob of people descended on his store all at once after midnight .
"They start trashing the store [and] eating," Farah said while watching surveillance video of the incident. "It's like they're robbing the store."
While several paid, the rest ate, drink and stole before police could get there, Farah said.
"We had to clean up for two hours," he said. "Plus, merchandise is gone. A bunch of merchandise is gone."
Farah estimated he lost up to $500 that night.
Shoplifting is common. Farah shared one clip from earlier this year that showed a man stealing a package of incense from a stand by the front door then running through the parking lot.
Customers have also attacked employees, according to video reviewed by News 8.
Plus, cashiers are seeing more counterfeit money. Someone passed a $100 bill recently that had a watermark of Abraham Lincoln, meaning it's really a $5 bill.
But someone apparently bleached Abe away and reprinted it with Ben Franklin and $100 markings.
Part of Farah's problem, officers said, is that three large apartment complexes are nearby his store.
Dallas police said officers have responded to 26 calls for help from his store this year, most coming within the last month for crimes like shoplifting, disorderly conduct and even aggravated assault.
DPD has made seven arrests. But, Farah wants zero tolerance and even posted a "Wall of Shame" outside his store that shows crooks his cameras caught.
"I worked hard," Farah explained. "I worked very hard to cut down on these crimes. I want somebody else to work with me."
Farah is spending money to build a restaurant, barber shop and cell phone store next door. He said he can't afford to hire off-duty police now, and short of keeping customers out or closing at dusk, he's beginning to wonder whether it's really worth investing in south Oak Cliff.
On Sunday, another store owner was murdered across the street from Farah's property. Police arrested one suspect and are still looking for two others.
Despite problems at Farah's store, Dallas police said crime in this part of town is declining. The rate is down 4 percent this year compared to last.
Overall, since Dallas police opened the South Central Station in 2007, a lieutenant said crime is down 38 percent.
E-mail: jwhitely@wfaa.com
