Cameraman's Gear Stolen From Covina Shop After 35 Years In Business
COVINA (CBSLA.com) — A cameraman who has dedicated his life to capturing "I do's" had his livelihood stolen when his Covina shop was broken into last weekend.
Even with the changing economy and technology, 71-year-old Phillip Venzke managed to keep his business, Brothers Photography, growing. But on Saturday, someone broke in and stole all four of the photographer's cameras and accessories.
"The first thing of course we saw was this window with big puncture marks," he told KCAL9's Crystal Cruz.
"Just to think someone would come in and steal part of your livelihood you feel kind of violated... you know?"
Venzke has been photographing weddings for 35 years, and collected the images in photo album after photo album.
"My business is a happy business. I'm dealing with people mostly at their best - at weddings and things like that," he said.
Venzke said the cameras, worth about $7,000, are not insured.
Now, he says all he has left is a police report, some empty camera boxes and regret for leaving his gear behind.
"I just think it was kids and just dumb luck. It all happened to be sitting behind the wall," he said.
Venzke's daughter Lisa is holding a fundraiser for her father, who she says is always helping others.
"All my friends are saying, 'Of anyone this happened to, your dad is the last person this type of thing should happen to,'" she said.
Lisa asks that anyone with information contact (909) 592-8279 or (626) 353-7235.
Additional information about Brothers Photography is available on the company's website.