The break-ins occurred in a shopping center off Scripps Ranch Boulevard, with the suspect captured on surveillance footage shattering the front glass doors of the establishments shortly after 4:30am. The affected businesses include Fay's Diner, Isabella's Mexican Restaurant, and Pizza on the Ranch.
The suspect, dressed in a hoodie, used a metal object - believed to be a crowbar - to break into the restaurants, targeting cash registers and other valuables. At Fay's Diner, the burglar stole all the cash, change, and two customer credit cards in an incident that lasted just over two minutes. The owner, Josh Anderson, who opened the diner two years ago and named it after his mother, reported losses of $500 to $600.
At Pizza on the Ranch, a family-run eatery open for only three months, the suspect fled with the entire cash register after smashing the glass door. Isabella's Mexican Restaurant also fell victim to the spree, though specific losses were not disclosed. The incidents have taken a toll on the small business owners, both financially and emotionally.
Police are actively investigating the burglaries and have urged the public to come forward with any information, directing tips to Crime Stoppers. In the wake of the incidents, the affected restaurant owners are encouraging Scripps Ranch residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help prevent further crimes in the area. As the investigation continues, the community rallies around these local businesses, hoping for a swift resolution and a return to normalcy.
Police are actively investigating the burglaries and have urged the public to come forward with any information, directing tips to Crime Stoppers. In the wake of the incidents, the affected restaurant owners are encouraging Scripps Ranch residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help prevent further crimes in the area. As the investigation continues, the community rallies around these local businesses, hoping for a swift resolution and a return to normalcy.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department non-emergency line at 858.484.3154 or Crime Stoppers at 619.235.8477.
