Businesses in Arizona's valley are facing the harsh reality of burglaries leaving a trail of financial and emotional damage. Owners in the Melrose District of Phoenix were shaken by an experienced burglar, as FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Similarly, Tempe's own Johnny's Burgers and Hot Dogs has been dealt a blow after a break-in caused costly damages, 12 News has learned.
In the early hours of July 16, surveillance footage acquired by Royale Kitchen + Cocktails caught what appears to be a man demonstrating agility not unlike a cat, deftly climbing a security fence before breaching the establishment. Marc Howard, the owner of the restaurant, in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, described the suspect as "Obviously someone who was a professional, someone who's doing this obviously for a living." The suspect left with more than just cash, taking with him a sense of security that once resided within the district's community-driven businesses. A coffee shop nearby also suffered at the hands of the suspect, raising concerns and frustrations among locals.
Concurrently, in Tempe, questions of fate and fairness arise from shattered glass on the sidewalk of Johnny's Burgers and Hot Dogs. The burglar, who was caught on camera lobbing a rock through the window of the restaurant, made off with a mere $250 from the cash register. Disbelief and a shiver of irony are evident as Carlos Contreras, the manager, remarked to 12 News, "The $250 is almost laughable. It's like, come on." The cost of repairs however, hovers around $1,000, adding financial insult to injury for a business that recently recovered from an electrical fire.
Deep roots in community and resilience characterize the response from both locales. "We're really proud of what's been created, and we love being a part of all these amazing businesses that are along this road here," Howard told FOX 10 Phoenix. Echoing a similar sentiment, Johnny's Burgers and Hot Dogs owner, Yianni Ioannou, expressed to 12 News a profound commitment to his craft and customer base despite the setbacks, "We love our community, and we love our products." Police in both Phoenix and Tempe are urging anyone with information on the burglaries to come forward, in the hope of curtailing the string of crimes and restoring peace of mind to local business owners.
