Apple (News - Alert) retail stores around the country may need to consider new security measures following a string of recent smash-and-grab robberies.

The latest burglary occurred on early Tuesday morning at the Greenwich Avenue Apple Store in Fairfield County, Connecticut, where five thieves made off with tens of thousands of dollars worth of high-end electronics.

Surveillance tapes show the group of burglars easily smashing the front glass door, grabbing all the merchandise they can carry, and then quickly running out and fleeing in a waiting vehicle. The robbery occurred around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Greenwich Police.

Unfortunately for the Mountain View, California-based technology giant, these types of burglaries have become an all-too-common occurrence. Just last week, the Tice's Corner Apple Store in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., was hit in a similar fashion, when four burglars took part in a 30-second smash-and-grab job that resulted in the loss of dozens of iPods, iPhones and laptops. Several Apple retail stores in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Illinois have all suffered similar fates, losing anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 worth of electronics in under a minute.

The apparent reason that thieves tend to target Apple Stores is because of their iconic glass doors, which make it fairly easy for prospective criminals to break through. The fact that you can carry $10,000 worth of iPods in two hands probably doesn't hurt either.

The Greenwich Avenue Apple Store was closed on Tuesday for repairs. Police were unable to immediately identify any suspects on the surveillance tapes and are still investigating the incident.

Even with the string of robberies, Apple has no plans to slow its retail growth pattern. The company is anticipating that it will open as many as 50 new stores in the next 12 months, including several in Europe and Asia, according to Apple Insider.

You can check out some still shots of the robbery by clicking here.

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Juliana Kenny