A rash of smash-and-grab burglaries earlier this week in Santa Clarita has left business owners reeling and concerned that if it keeps up, they won’t be able to keep their doors open.
Surveillance cameras at Pizza Di Marco captured several hooded suspects smashing through the front door of the restaurant at around 2 a.m. The thieves got inside, jumped the counter and took whatever they could get their hands on.
The pizza shop owner, Hemdrika Manrique, said she believes the suspects were kids, but whether they’re juveniles or not, she was left with a big mess and it’s not even the first time she’s been burglarized.
She was able to get her glass door replaced in this latest incident, though the crooks broke one register and stole another.
“I had to get another register for me to work Monday, so I don’t lose business, but I have to fix the other one,” Manrique said told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo.
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Surveillance cameras captured a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries in Santa Clarita early on Feb. 17, 2025. (viewer image) -
Surveillance cameras captured a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries in Santa Clarita early on Feb. 17, 2025. (I Love Sushi) -
Surveillance cameras captured a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries in Santa Clarita early on Feb. 17, 2025. (viewer image) -
Surveillance cameras captured a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries in Santa Clarita early on Feb. 17, 2025. (viewer image) -
Surveillance cameras captured a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries in Santa Clarita early on Feb. 17, 2025. (KTLA)
At least two other shops in the same strip mall were hit that morning in the same smash-and-grab style, the Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlor and the I Love Sushi restaurant.
Surveillance footage from the restaurant shows the suspects’ attempt to break the glass door. They caused some damage, though they were unable to get away with anything.
About six miles away off Sierra Highway and just after 3 a.m., surveillance cameras at Venice Pizzaria show more hooded suspects breaking into that restaurant.
“We realized that all of the place had been damaged,” shop owner Christopher Ethakpemhi told KTLA. “Equipment, cash register is missing. An ATM was outside where the broken glass is.”
The business owner and pastor of the church next to his restaurant added that he has been hit by thieves twice in the last few months, which makes it even harder to use his restaurant’s kitchen as a food bank for the church.
“We are giving out food every Saturday to more than 150 people, the pizzeria helping the church,” he said.
Ethakpemhi explained that the break-ins are traumatic and that the cost of replacing what was stolen or damaged not only cuts into his profits but also what he’s able to give to those in need.
“It’s hard,” he explained. “We are trying to stay afloat.
Authorities told KTLA they are investigating the break-ins, though no arrests have been so far.
