Mexican restaurant in Southern California attacked by thieves 5 times in 3 years

An attempted burglary at a restaurant in Long Beach last week marks the fifth time the Mexican food grill has been attacked since its opening three years ago.

The November 6 incident came to light in the early morning hours, when the resort’s security cameras captured two hooded suspects coming out of Infinity and trying to break the restaurant’s front window with a crowbar-like tool.

“Then they start knocking on the window,” Cynthia Zaragoza told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo. “They can’t break this.”

Because La Esquinta Mexican Grill on Willow Street was broken so many times, the owner invested in shatterproof glass. Despite such protections, criminals could not be prevented from targeting the restaurant.

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“This is a huge failure,” Zaragoza said. “So we’re not making thousands in profit on everything when the cost of living is so high. “It’s very hard to come back from that.”

Owner Erik Vasquez told KTLA in Spanish that despite the setbacks, he is still coping but wants more help from local officials.

On Tuesday, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson walked downtown with state officials, searching for and discussing ways to revitalize the struggling business corridor. An estimated 100 businesses have left the area since the height of the outbreak.

“We look forward to updating our downtown plan, our waterfront plan,” the mayor said. “What will the future be like?”

People who live and work in downtown Long Beach say crime and homelessness are major factors in business closures.

“This is definitely scaring customers,” Carla Magana, who works in Long Beach, told KTLA. “We are too afraid to walk to our cars.”

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The goal, officials say, is to get crime under control, but many downtown businesses and residents are wondering if it’s too late.

“I swear to the thieves, there is nothing of value you can take here. Zaragoza said, “We leave the safe open on purpose so that they can see that there is no cash or anything in the facility.” “I don’t know if we can stay open for as long.”

A. GoFundMe campaign Another work was organized for La Esquinta Mexican Grill to repair the damage caused to the restaurant.

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