SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A popular Thai restaurant in the College Area has been broken into for the second time in three weeks.
At Sala Thai, there are sizzling entrees and simmering frustrations. "Saw the mess on the floor and thought what's going on?" said owner Chira Svangvitaya.
A look at the surveillance video gave Svangvitaya the answer. Just before 5:30 Monday morning, a man in a hoodie is seen creeping into through the back door. He heads right to the cash register but finds it empty.
He grabs some paperwork, empties the change dish and moments later, he leaves. It isn't for long. "He walked in and out three times, like he's not afraid of anything," said Svangvitaya.
Two more trips nets him armfuls of stuff, including a computer, iPad, iPod, checkbooks and a case of soda. Near the end, he takes off his hood - and Svangvitaya's heart sank.
"I feel so sad and annoying. I don't know what I did to him," said Svangvitaya.
The intruder is a stranger to her, but appears to be the same man who broke into the restaurant early Halloween morning. On that occasion, he used a crowbar to mangle the lock and damaged the register while grabbing $400 in cash. He also nabbed five tablets and a computer, crippling her online delivery business.
Svangvitaya spent $600 to add a deadbolt after the Halloween break-in. This time, the intruder destroyed the repaired lock and the new deadbolt and went right on in. On the menu now are more costly repairs and a serving of nerves.
"I'm scared he will come back," said Svangvitaya. Svangvitaya, who has run the restaurant for nearly 30 years, says she has no idea who the man is.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 888-580-8477.
