Burglary at Smoothie Shop in the San Fernando Valley

This weekend, another small business in the San Fernando Valley fell victim to a burglary, highlighting a troubling trend of crime in the area. Video footage captured a group of individuals, clad in hoodies, breaking into Flor de Lima Farms, a smoothie bar, using tools like a crowbar and power saw. The owners reported that the thieves made off with a safe containing approximately $7,000, marking this incident as part of a broader crime wave affecting at least ten local businesses in recent weeks. The owner of Flor de Lima Farms, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed frustration over the repeated break-ins, stating that the small family-run business is struggling to maintain a safe environment. She believes the same group attempted to break in multiple times before successfully entering overnight. This gang is also suspected of targeting nearby establishments, including Teriyaki Madness, where an apology note was left by the burglars, citing a need for money for drugs. San Fernando Police Chief Fabian Valdez noted that some of the vandalism appears to be a tactic to gauge security responses before committing to a break-in. He emphasized that the suspects may be testing the waters to see if alarms are triggered or if police arrive. In response to the rising crime, local law enforcement has increased patrols in the area, including undercover operations, in hopes of deterring future incidents and restoring a sense of safety for business owners and the community.