A brazen burglary at Legacy Tattoo & Piercing in the early hours of Saturday has left local artists devastated, with thousands of dollars in tattoo equipment stolen—and it was all caught on camera.
Surveillance footage shows a lone thief navigating the shop with uncanny familiarity, moving directly to individual artists’ stations and systematically taking valuable gear. For shop owners Daniel and Adrianna Williams, the break-in was not just shocking—it was personal.
“It really blew my mind to even see it happen,” Daniel said, reflecting on the footage he and his wife have replayed countless times.
Targeted Theft Leaves Artists Reeling
The stolen items included high-end tattoo machines, premium inks, and supplies, many of which are essential tools of the trade for the shop’s artists—tools that also represent their livelihoods.
“These machines are worth so much. The inks are worth so much,” Adrianna said. “This is how they make a living. It’s how they support their kids.”
Tattoo artist Angel Gomez, an Army veteran who began tattooing while deployed in Iraq, said he’s at a complete loss.
“I worked so hard to get these new machines,” Gomez said. “I literally just finished paying them off.”
The emotional toll has been equally devastating. Gomez, who uses tattooing as a form of therapy to cope with PTSD, described the aftermath as paralyzing.
“I’m frozen. I don’t know how to feel. I don’t feel anything.”
A Familiar Intruder?
The Williams believe the intruder may have had prior knowledge of the shop’s layout and contents.
“Different things that showed that he had been in here before, or was familiar,” Daniel noted.
Although the Round Rock Police Department confirmed that the case is under active investigation, they have not released further details. The Williams hope the footage, which shows a clear image of the suspect and a vehicle, could lead to an identification.
Community Support and Fundraiser Event
In response to the theft, the shop is turning pain into action. On Saturday, May 31, Legacy Tattoo & Piercing will host a fundraising event featuring $5 flash tattoos with designs including the Round Rock tower and the outline of Texas. Donations will go directly to the artists impacted by the theft.
“Who knows if they can come back today? Who knows if they can come back tomorrow?” Adrianna said. “But hopefully… somebody can say, ‘Hey, I know him,’ and we can get it figured out.”
A Call for Awareness
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability that small businesses face—and the resilience that often follows.
If you have any information related to the burglary, you are urged to contact the Round Rock Police Department.
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