PILSEN — At least five Pilsen businesses have reported a rash of burglaries this month, with a suspect or suspects getting away with cash.
In the most recent burglary, a man was caught on surveillance tape stealing cash from Don Churro, 1626 S. Blue Island Ave. in Pilsen.
At 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, the thief broke into the churro shop by prying the shop's door open, said Carol Molina, whose parents have owned Don Churro for about 30 years.
The burglar stole about $100 cash and some change from the shop's register, she said.
"He used some sort of tool. He didn't even touch the lock, he didn't break anything," Molina said. "It seems like he knows exactly what he's doing."
In the surveillance video, the man attempts to open neighboring shop doors before breaking in at Don Churro.
While no one was hurt, Molina said the incident was "very concerning" because her parents, Juan and Maria Molina, live above the shop.
"He could have victimized my parents," Molina said. "That makes me very upset, and it's very concerning."
Besides a stolen tip jar five years ago, Don Churro has never had a break-in or cash stolen, Molina said.
Between Friday night and Saturday morning, another break-in occurred at Pilsen Community Books, 1102 W. 18th St. in Pilsen. Nothing was stolen, but the book shop's door was seriously damaged.
About 3:40 a.m. Dec. 6, a man broke into Dia De Los Tamales, 939 W. 18th St. and stole the restaurant's cash box, confirmed owner Jeni Wahl. The cash box had been emptied after closing, and the robber only made off with about $14 in coins, Wahl said.
The burglar, who broke in by manipulating the door's lock, ignored a pricey iPad on the counter and a tip jar with about $50 in coins inside, Wahl said.
The cash box itself is valued at $250, she said.
A burglar also broke into Dia De Los Tamales in April, smashing the tamale shop's front door, getting away with an iPad and cash. In September, a man was caught on video stealing a bike from a home during the day near Dia De Los Tamales.
He later was caught by police, Wahl said.
Before the two burglaries this year, the 3-year-old tamale shop never had a break-in, Wahl said. Dealing with break-ins is part of "life in a big city" as a business owner, she said.
"I'm happy that we could open the next day and that no one was hurt," she said. "But it's frustrating, it's sad that people are doing this."
About 11 p.m. Dec. 2, a man robbed La Catrina Cafe, 1011 W. 18th St., confirmed owner Diana Galicia. He stole about $400 from the popular coffee shop's register, she said.
The thief entered the shop through a kitchen window after removing the security bars.
On Dec. 8, Bistro 18, at 1640 W. 18th St., reported a burglary at the restaurant to police, a restaurant employee confirmed. A door to the restaurant was discovered open, and cash and phones had been stolen.
Attempted break-ins
Other business owners report that their buildings have been damaged in attempted break-ins, but the burglar ultimately wasn't successful.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, someone attempted to break in at Azul 18, a restaurant at 1236 W. 18th St., breaking signs in the process, owner Jose Cruz confirmed. The next day, Thursday, Dec. 8, someone shattered the restaurant's door attempting to break in, but a second locked door prevented them from gaining access to the building. Cruz said he reported the incident to the police.
Area Central detectives are investigating the burglaries. Police do not know if one suspect or several are responsible for the incidents.
Ald. Danny Solis (25th) said he is working with police to investigate the crimes.
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