Tempe Police have arrested a 22-year-old man linked to several burglaries in the city's East Valley area, actions coined as the "Rockin' Register Crime Series," which took place between July 3 and July 8. According to a news release by Tempe Police cited by FOX 10 Phoenix, the suspect, Jose Perez-Robledo, is believed to have been captured on surveillance footage using a rock to shatter windows and forcibly enter various businesses, including Quickly Tempe Boba, targeting their cash registers or drawers.
Detectives investigating the case spotted a car owned by Perez-Robledo in the security footage which ultimately led to his arrest on July 23, they discovered his involvement in similar incidents at other Valley businesses during their ongoing investigation, however, the extent of these criminal activities remains under scrutiny but the Tempe Police Department is urging anyone with information to step forward. In a report by 12 News, the establishments impacted included Johnny's Burgers and Dogs, Serrano's Restaurant, and Karla's Taco Shop, aside from Quickly Bob, which had their glass door only recently replaced after being shattered.
The aftermath of these break-ins has left local business owners grappling with damage costs and safety concerns. Izaiah Quiruz, the proprietor of Quickly Boba, communicated to FOX 10 Phoenix about arriving to a scene of disarray, "There was a lot of glass and debris everywhere," also underlining the monetary blow with "Probably around $1,000 in damage," although, by fortunate circumstances, nothing was taken from his register as it had been emptied before closing.
Perez-Robledo, now in custody, stands accused of four counts of third-degree burglary, a class 4 felony within Arizona, each count shading a narrative of intrusion and disregard for the spaces that serve as communal binders, local businesses that define neighborhoods, mark our comings and our goings, such spaces should not understated, for as Quiruz said they have fostered "such a good relationship" with their customers, whose support following the incidents has been of some relief to the affected establishments. Thankfully, no physical harm came to any individuals during these night-time raids, a small grace amidst the concerns surrounding such heedless acts within our communities.
