Over $10,000 stolen from taqueria as crime wave hits San Francisco
- Taqueria Zorro was burglarized early Tuesday morning, resulting in the theft of an ATM and two safes.
- Local business owners in San Francisco's Castro District are demanding action from city leaders to address repeated break-ins.
- The ongoing crime wave has left many businesses feeling vulnerable and seeking support for more effective protection.
In San Francisco, a burglary occurred at Taqueria Zorro, a popular Mexican restaurant in North Beach, early on Tuesday morning. The restaurant's owner, Tarik Kassis, reported that the suspects used a crowbar and bolt cutters to break into the premises while a surveillance video captured the incident. The video displayed several masked individuals, some appearing to be armed, and showed them fleeing in a white Honda Odyssey minivan. Kassis noted that the robbery resulted in approximately $10,000 being stolen and that damages to the restaurant will cost around $25,000, requiring several weeks of repairs. The surveillance footage highlighted a coordinated operation, with Kassis emphasizing that the thieves seemed well-prepared, calmly orchestrating their actions as if they had standard operating procedures in place. This incident has raised concerns among local business owners who have recently experienced similar crimes, leading to calls for city leaders to implement more effective measures to combat thefts in the area. Kassis, in hopes of gathering information on the suspects, offered a reward of a free month's worth of lunches at Taqueria Zorro for any leads that result in identifying and capturing the criminals. In the Castro District of San Francisco, business owners convened to discuss the ongoing crime problem after facing an alarming number of break-ins. Claude Gratianne, who owns ZGO Perfumery, described his shop as having been targeted four times, with the most recent attempt occurring just days prior. Despite installing strong glass and security systems, he expressed frustration towards the lack of effective police response and city support in mitigating burglary incidents. As business owners collectively voice their frustrations, many are seeking more robust action from local government and law enforcement. Eduardo Juarez, the owner of La Tortilla, highlighted the challenges of reaching city leaders in pursuit of solutions to this increasing crime. His anecdote, along with Gratianne's, showcased a trend of repeated theft, leaving many in the community feeling vulnerable and exhausted. Their aim is to rally community support and to ensure that resources are allocated to aid their businesses against future criminal activities.