Surveillance video caught what rattled business owners are calling a brazen early-morning smash-and-grab, with two Dallas restaurants hit in a single night. Staff at both spots showed up to shattered glass, busted doors and missing equipment, and managers say they are now counting the damage and lost sales.
The break-ins happened early Tuesday and targeted Tomateros Seafood on S. Buckner and Tacos Juancho in Oak Lawn, according to reporting and video from WFAA. The station shared surveillance clips that appear to show the same people going into both buildings and walking out with items in hand.
Where They Hit
Tacos Juancho operates on Oak Lawn Avenue and lists 3604 Oak Lawn Ave on its site, while Tomateros Seafood is shown in business directories at 2916 S Buckner Blvd, according to Tacos Juancho and MapQuest. Both restaurants are small, late-night friendly spots that lean on steady evening traffic, and owners say the cost of repairs and downtime can stack up quickly.
Video Links the Cases
The surveillance clips show people prying at doors and moving through empty dining rooms before leaving, and investigators told the station they believe the two burglaries are connected. WFAA notes the footage is grainy but says the clothing and actions look consistent across both scenes.
What This Means for Local Businesses
The pair of cases comes on the heels of a string of restaurant break-ins in northeast Dallas in December, when NBC DFW reported multiple eateries were hit within days of each other. Business owners told that station that even relatively small thefts and repair bills can be crippling for small operators who depend on nightly sales to stay afloat.
Police and Next Steps
Dallas police are investigating the two recent break-ins and are asking anyone with tips or additional footage to come forward, and the cases remain open. Local security pros recommend keeping cameras recording, bolting registers to counters and linking alarms to monitored services as immediate moves to cut risk, according to local company Dallas Security.
