In an unusual twist to a series of burglaries in San Fernando, California, police officers discovered an apologetic note left by the perpetrator at one of the crime scenes.
The note, found at the restaurant Teriyaki Madness, read: "Sorry! Need $ for drugs, won't come back." This restaurant was one of several businesses that fell victim to a string of burglaries, vandalism, and thefts that have recently plagued the city.
According to Newsweek, the crime wave spanned several days, affecting a variety of businesses from property management offices to ice cream shops. Teriyaki Madness was hit twice within the week. Surveillance footage allegedly shows one of the culprits entering the restaurant through a broken window and seemingly penning the apologetic note. The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests made so far.
Another business, the San Fernando Coffee Company, was also targeted. The thief made off with the cash register, which contained a mere $6. However, the owner, Isiah Rosario, highlighted the significant cost of replacing the register, stating it would amount to $1,000. "This week has been an emotional rollercoaster," Rosario confessed.
The Protein Shop, located a short distance from Teriyaki Madness, is believed to have captured the same man on their CCTV, breaking in and robbing the cash register. The owner reported a loss of at least $500. San Fernando Police Chief Fabian Valdez commented on the suspect's apparent experience, stating, "This person appears to have done this before. It looks like they were concealing their fingerprints and being very careful on what they touched."
The surge in burglaries has understandably caused unease among local businesses. A meeting with local law enforcement is planned to address the situation. Rosario expressed his frustration, saying, "It just sucks." Another business owner voiced concerns about insurance not covering all the damage and the rising cost of premiums.
San Fernando police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue their investigation. Despite the recent crime wave, San Fernando's property crime rate in 2022 was 1,774 per 100,000 people, which is 9.2% lower than the national average. However, according to Neighborhood Scout, the city's overall crime rate is higher than 64% of other cities in California.
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