FRESNO, Calif. — A series of break-ins across the downtown Fresno area have placed local business owners on high alert as eateries repair damaged property and search for solutions to this ongoing trend.
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“This is our first break-in, we have experienced other incidents, but never a break-in,” said Chloe Cardoza, co-owner of Hummus Republic.
Those other incidents included one of its employees held at knifepoint two years ago.
This was the most severe.
At 4 A.M. April 5, the alarm system alerted Cardoza to a break-in in progress at Hummus Republic. Cardoza watched as the suspect through a heavy object, shattering one of the restaurant’s front door windows.
“It’s like violating, “said Cardoza. “It’s my business, but it’s also part of my home.”
The suspect in this break-in was 31-year-old William Randolph, the same suspect arrested for the break-ins to Umi Sushi and Citi Bank in downtown Fresno on April 27.
Randolph stole a Point of Sale (POS) register system and left a trail of destruction inside the business.
In total, damages from the break-in cost Cardoza, who co-owners the restaurant with her fiancé, Steve Martinez, $2,200 — about $500 to replace its POS system and $2,000 to replace one of its front doors and windows. Cardoza explained she filed a claim with the restaurant’s insurance company and said the insurance will eventually pay for those damages.
Hummus Republic was not the first small business targeted in the downtown Fresno area.
On April 23, Tapsi Filipino Restaurant on “P” Street was broken into.
In an email to FOX26 News, owner Roger Key said police never arrived until he and his wife, Doreen made complaints. According to Key, on Wednesday, April 26 a man requested a drink. His staff offered him water. He left after employees questioned him.
The following day, at 5 A.M. April 27, staff spotted the suspect and another individual sitting on the restaurant’s loading dock. Tapsi’s cook asked the two individuals to leave the loading dock and they did.
“The most frustrating part of this, we called several times to the police and never got a police officer here,” said Key. “We stayed the entire day of April 23 waiting for a police officer and no one ever came.”
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According to Tapsi, the small business is left with an estimated $2.200 in damages from the April 23 break-in.
On Monday, April 24, Tapsi was unable to open due to the damages caused by the break-in.
“I’m in healthcare and I feel bad for him [the suspect],” said Doreen. “We just let them [the homeless people] roam the streets of downtown Fresno.”
“On the other hand, there’s no accountability,” said Roger. “I completely agree with Fresno Police Chief Balderrama.
Golden Tamale Mexican Restaurant located on “P” Street is another small business in downtown Fresno that was recently broken into. It is unclear what day that break-in happened.
Fresno Police suspect Randolph is connected to the break-ins at the two other locations.
Gina Perez and and her husband, Jeremy Brownstein co-owner Plant Slayer on Capitol Street. They specialize in plant-based, vegan comfort food.
Perez said in September, shortly after their business celebrated its grand opening, a suspect busted through the patio’s back door and walked into the restaurant.
“We are a cash-free restaurant, which was good for us in this case,” said Perez. “He spent a half hour looking for cash in the freezer and taking chords and wires.”
Plant Slayer is located about a block from the Fresno Police Department in downtown Fresno.
Perez explained police arrested the suspect of the break-in immediately following the incident. She said placing these individuals in jail is not going to address what she describes as the “real problem at hand.”
Jail is not the answer for people with mental health problems.
“It’s one thing after another in regards to safety,” said Perez. “Security is very important. We have a panic button, which alerts our alarm company.”
Plant Slayer is unlike other small downtown eateries. Its operating hours extend past the regular lunchtime rush — opened from 11 A.M. to 8 P.M.
