San Diego

OB Tattoo Shop Owner Thinks Competition Could Be Behind Vandalism Attacks

The owner of the shop thinks competing parlors may be trying to send threatening messages

For the second day in a row, security cameras at a brand new tattoo parlor in Ocean Beach caught a vandalism suspect in the act, and its owner thinks his competitor may have something to do with it.

Blackwater Tattoo Studio, which opened last week on Newport Avenue, was targeted on consecutive days over the weekend, according to shop owner Mike Kellerman. 

Surveillance video from Sunday night shows someone zooming by, possibly on foot or on skates, and throwing an object that punctured a hole in the front window.

Footage from the previous morning shows someone on a skateboard riding up and attaching some kind of explosive to the window that blasted a hole in the glass.

Police haven’t made any arrests, but Kellerman hopes his footage and diligence will help.

Kellerman has three decades of experience in the industry, and believes the vandalism may be part of a larger message.

“The whole brick through the window thing, you know, because you opened up on my block,” Kellerman explained. “Well its nobody's block… It's the city of San Diego’s block. I didn't open up in the first place to try and be competition for somebody.”

but Kellerman and his wife are staying overnight Monday just in case it happens again.

Anyone with information is asked to call the San Diego Police Department.

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