CARLSBAD, Calif. (KGTV) - A burglar smashed his way into two Carlsbad businesses, dealing a blow to a restaurant and gelato shop already hurting during the pandemic.
Along Palmer Way, outside the Bologna Gourmet, a shattered front door marks the burglar’s entry point.
Just before 5 a.m. Saturday, surveillance video shows a masked man looking inside a cash register, prowling the inside of Bologna Gourmet. Moments later, he is seen searching some nearby shelves.
"When someone breaks in, you feel violated," said co-owner Andrea Ledda.
Ledda says the intruder raided the back office, grabbing hundreds of dollars in cash, a laptop, shoes and sunglasses. The thief’s most costly move: leaving the refrigerator door open.
Co-owner Andrea Bonora says they had to throw away more than $2,000 in food.
"There was filet mignon, rib-eye, and swordfish," said Bonora.
For the owners, it means more financial pain. During the pandemic, their revenues are down more than 40%.
"In this pandemic situation, to be perfect is the minimum to survive," said Bonora.
Next door at GelatoLove, the burglar left behind another trail of glass.
Video shows soon after the man left Bologna Gourmet, he threw something at the gelato company’s door -- shattering it -- before walking in. Inside, he grabs some change out of the cash register before taking off. Not much taken, but the repair bill is about $600.
For a business that’s seen a 60% drop for in-store sales during the pandemic, that loss will hurt.
"It's something that's going to damage us for sure. It's one more thing to take care of on top of the stress we had," said Richard.
Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to call Carlsbad Police at 760-931-2197.
