Store offers $10,000 to kill burglars

SAN ANTONIO (CNN/KSAT) - After losing thousands of dollars in merchandise, a Texas store owner said she's using a different tactic to deter crooks.

The sign offers a $10,000 reward to any law enforcement officer who shoots and kills burglars.

Business is booming at Debra Trejo's south side clothing store, but not long ago, she was worried about going out of business after a series of break-ins.

"We would have a lot of break-ins,” said Trejo. “They'd be like once a month, or once every two or three months."

The crooks usually only got away with a few hundred dollars. Then, they cut the wires to her security system.

"They had all night to take everything, so they took like $60,000 worth of merchandise. And it took me like three years to replace all that,” said Trejo.

The thieves got very creative in breaking in. The first time, they pried open the back door. The next time, they came in through the roof. And the third time, they fell through the ceiling

No matter what she did, the crooks found a way in. Then, she saw a sign on another business and decided to put similar ones on her store. There hasn't been a break-in since.

"Once the signs came in, it was a big turnaround," she said.

Trejo admits the strongly worded sign has been a turnoff to some customers. 

"I don't agree with that at all,” said customer Sylvia Lopez.

Customers had mixed reviews. Some didn't know what to think, while others loved it.

"I had a business of my own, and we know how it feels to lose everything when you work so hard to get where you're at," said Loretta Ramirez, another customer. "I'm all for it."

As long as they keep the criminals away, Trejo is keeping the signs up.

"I didn't think it would be this much of a success," she admits.