After several burglaries targeting local businesses, San Diego police have made headway in bringing those responsible to justice. Notably, Pazzo's Pizza in Scripps Ranch, a local establishment operating for over 30 years, was hit, becoming one in 11 break-ins reported across the county between April and June. The San Diego Police Department announced the arrest of 42-year-old Christopher Buck and the identification of a second suspect, who has been hospitalized for a medical condition, as stated in a NBC San Diego report.
Attempting to draw a silver lining around a cloud of criminal activity, David Vitale, the owner of Pazzo's Pizza, said, "They didn't get any cash, it was actually a stupid burglary." Nevertheless, despite the setback of stolen food-delivery tablets which disrupted services for about a week, Vitale affirmed the business was "still operating, and blessed for that," echoing sentiments captured by an earlier surveillance video which once caught a past string of burglaries between 2013 and 2015, as recalled in NBC San Diego's coverage.
In light of the arrests, Pazzo's Pizza took to their Instagram account to express gratitude towards the San Diego police and the community for their support, emphasizing the collaborative effort that led to the apprehension of the culprits. The restaurant's post emphasized the collective triumph, "GREAT NEWS! Just less than three weeks after we were burglarized, the great officers and detectives of the @sandiegopd made arrests in the case!" This was followed by an acknowledgment of the community's role, as they thanked those who provided information leading to an arrest, according to the post on Instagram.
The police have been proactive in advising business owners on dissuading potential thieves, suggesting tactics such as leaving cash drawers open to show they're empty and ensuring functioning security systems. Officer Anthony Carrasco reportedly noted that the suspects took advantage of "late night, early morning hours to target these businesses," implying the need for better illumination around businesses to deter criminal activity, as reported in a Fox 5 San Diego article.
Meanwhile, Pazzo's Pizza is moving forward, still reeling from the effects of the burglary, which saw the loss of an electronic register, cash drawer, and critical tablets for their delivery service. Owner David Vitale assessed the damage at around $4,000 in a statement to NBC San Diego, concluding that business shall continue, albeit with temporary disruption. The community response has been characterized by disdain for the burglary, with local patrons voicing their dismay over the incident.
