Thieves cut open a security gate and burglarized a store at 7669 Melrose Ave. (photo by Edwin Folven)

A burglary crew broke into an apparel store on Melrose Avenue during the early morning hours of Aug. 5, using a power tool to get inside, police said.

The break-in occurred around 2:40 a.m. at That’s A Awful Lot of Cough Syrup, a hip-hop apparel store located at 7669 Melrose Ave. Authorities said five men approached the front of the shop, which is protected by a roll-up security gate. They used a power saw to cut a hole in the gate and smashed a window to gain access to the building. Police said the suspects stole property and fled, but did not specify what was stolen. No arrests were made.

Witnesses provided descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle, a small white Mazda SUV. Witnesses described the suspects as being Hispanic. They were wearing facemasks and hooded sweatshirts in an attempt to conceal their identities.

Detectives are investigating a separate burglary that occurred in the Melrose area on Aug. 3 at Spokes ‘N Stuff at 7777 Melrose Ave. A suspect cut a lock on a storage shed and stole a bicycle. The crime was reported around 6 p.m. No suspect description or further information was available.

Anyone with information about the burglaries is urged to call detectives at (213)922-8205 or (213)473-0476. During weekends and off-hours, call the LAPD’s hotline at (877)LAPD247.