PILSEN — After a rash of break-ins in the neighborhood, four more Pilsen businesses now report they were burglarized overnight.
A burglar or burglars broke into Dia De Los Tamales, 939 W. 18th St.; popular Cafe Jumping Bean, 1439 W. 18th St.; Memos Hot Dogs, 1447 W. 18th St.; and Pilsen Breakfast and Grill, 1454 W. 18th St., Monday night and early Tuesday morning, the owners confirmed.
The most recent burglaries come after at least five Pilsen businesses, including Don Churro and La Catrina Cafe, reported break-ins to police in the last two weeks.
RELATED: Burglar Hits Don Churro In Pilsen, One Of Five Recent Break-Ins (VIDEO)
About 8:30 p.m. Monday, a burglar broke into Dia De Los Tamales, stealing the tip jar, said owner Jeni Wahl. It's the second time the shop has had a break-in in two weeks. The first time, the thief stole a cash box with $14 in coins, she said.
About 3 a.m. Tuesday, someone broke into Pilsen Breakfast and Grill by breaking the front door frame to gain access to the restaurant, confirmed owner Angel Diaz. The thief stole $100 from the shop's register, Diaz said.
About 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, a burglar broke into Memo's Hot Dogs, a family-run business for 30 years. The person peeked into the building with a flashlight and then used a screwdriver or pry bar to pop open the door, said owner Jerry Garza, who reviewed a neighbor's surveillance video.
Garza is usually at the shop until 4 a.m., but left early to be with his wife.
"He's bold doing it right here on a main street," Garza said. "I guess he doesn't really care about getting caught."
About 4 a.m. Tuesday, someone broke into Cafe Jumping Bean on 18th Street by breaking a window and reaching through to open the shop's door, confirmed owner Eleazar Delgado. With the alarm going off, the thief stole a cash drawer with $20 in single bills and a change box with $20 in change.
The burglar didn't take the shop's iPads, he said.
The break-in delayed the coffee shop's opening Tuesday, but the cafe was open for business by 8 a.m.
Open for 23 years, Cafe Jumping Bean was last robbed 12 years ago, Delgado said.
"This is crazy. I know it's the holidays, but the person who is doing this ... four in one night? That's pretty bold," he said. "They guy is risking a lot."
Area Central detectives are investigating the burglaries. Police do not know if one suspect or multiple suspects are responsible for the break-ins.
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