Burglars Target Over 10 Santa Clarita Businesses within Minutes
Detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify a group of burglars who targeted nearly a dozen Santa Clarita businesses on Monday morning. All the burglaries occurred within minutes, and investigators believe it’s the same three men who committed the crimes.
Business Owners Feel Violated, Hope for Quick Arrest
Business owners are left feeling violated and hope that the burglars are caught soon before they strike again. "It’s really tough to see this kind of thing in our city," said Pastor Christopher Ethakpemhi, owner of Venice Pizzeria.
Surveillance Video Shows the Burglars in Action
A surveillance video shows three men breaking into the restaurant Wicked Chicken in Santa Clarita around 3 a.m. on Monday morning. The video shows them smashing the front glass door, running inside, ripping out the cash registers, and escaping in less than two minutes.
Damage and Loss
Tony Cunado, director of commercial development at Wicked Chicken, described the scene: "There was glass all over the restaurant; pretty far back cash boxes and registers were torn apart, a lot of damage. What they took is a fraction of what it’s going to cost to put everything back in order."
Multiple Burglaries in Quick Succession
The burglars struck multiple businesses in quick succession, including Venice Pizzeria and DiMarco’s Pizza, all within a 20-minute period. At each location, they smashed the front glass door, ran inside, and stole cash registers.
Impact on the Community
The burglars’ actions have a significant impact on the community. As Pastor Ethakpemhi pointed out, "This is the fourth time for the business and church because I am also the pastor of the church that has been attacked." He is concerned about the safety of his community and the potential impact on the families who rely on his restaurant.
A Message from the Business Owners
The owners of the targeted businesses have a message for the burglars: "They need to start working, don’t take what is not yours. It’s hard for us to come every day and leave our family behind to make a living, and it’s not fair," said Hendrika Manrique, owner of DiMarco’s Pizza.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is searching for the three men behind these targeted burglaries at eleven different restaurants across Santa Clarita. The public is urged to come forward with any information that may help identify the suspects.
FAQs
- How many businesses were targeted by the burglars?
- Eleven
- How quickly did the burglars strike multiple businesses?
- Within 20 minutes
- What was stolen from the businesses?
- Cash registers
- How much was stolen from DiMarco’s Pizza?
- Approximately $4,000
- Has a description of the vehicle or suspects been released?
- No, at this time.
