After a three-month series of break-ins that spread unease among San Diego business owners, the San Diego Police Department has made headway in a series of commercial burglaries. With a total estimated loss exceeding $7,620 and substantial property damage costing an additional $13,150, restaurant owners and patrons alike have been looking for a resolution. Eugene Mendiola, born on Christmas Day of 1993, faces seven counts of commercial burglary across the city, as announced by the SDPD's Northeastern Division last Friday, as per the San Diego Police Department.

Law enforcement utilized the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system to identify the vehicle Mendiola used during the commission of the crimes. Mendiola is accused of hitting a range of eateries, from Fay Diner to Best Pizza and Brew, striking on dates that have cast a shadow over these local establishments. Crime affects all, from the least to the most of us, leaving behind more than the wreckage of cash registers and entryways but a palpable tension in the shared spaces we call our community.

Besides the seven already charged incidents, Mendiola is suspected in another twelve cases across various San Diego County locales, including Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, and Oceanside, beginning in February 2025. The SDPD and local law enforcement coordination aims to determine whether these suspected incursions can be traced back to Mendiola. The SDPD has not ended its search for justice and is working with local partners to sift through these cases, clarifying Mendiola's involvement.

Surveillance footage has offered a glimpse into these crimes, with photographs circulating, hoping the public might aid the investigation. Calls can be directed to the Northeastern Substation at (858) 538-8012 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.