23 Long Beach businesses have been burglarized since start of the year, police say
Police said burglars are mostly targeting restaurants and family-owned mom-and-pop shops.
LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Police in Long Beach said they're investigating nearly two dozen burglaries that have occurred since the start of the new year.
The Long Beach Police Department held a virtual town hall Saturday morning to discuss the recent string of commercial burglaries.
Police said 23 burglaries are being investigated, most of which have occurred in the east part of the city. Police said burglars are mostly targeting restaurants and family-owned mom-and-pop shops.
In each case, the burglars are gone before officers arrive.
So far, no specific suspects have been identified.
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Police said they're responding with increased patrols, including using a helicopter to monitor from the skies during the overnight hours.
Eyewitness News has reported on several of the burglaries, many of which were caught on camera.
Steel Cup Cafe was one of the businesses hit.
"Sadly, I felt like it was only a matter of time before we were hit," said owner Nicholas Stoks. "I mean, we have so much glass, doors and windows, so we had been monitoring it and we're friends with a couple of businesses that it had happened to."
In surveillance video shared with ABC7, you can see someone taking money from the cash drawer. Stoks said only about $100 was inside.
Meanwhile, Adelitas Revenge, a gift shop located inside Viento Y Agua coffee house, were also targeted. Luckily, they didn't get inside and only damaged the door.
"We feel so bad for the small businesses it happened to," said owner Yvonne Marquez. "We are very scared, very nervous. We actually had to increase our insurance because we thought we have to be prepared."
Near the gift shop are Speak Cheezy and Prism Boutique - also victims.
Surveillance footage from Speak Cheezy's cameras shows someone breaking in through the back door and stealing a safe with nearly $5,000.
Business owners said they're frightened but thankful for the community's support.
No suspects have been identified.
The department has posted safety tips for local businesses on their social media.
