Burglar Hits Three Family-own Juice Shops, ID Him
Panorama City. Detectives released video of a Hispanic man with a distinctive tattoo on his right forearm, who has broken into three Raspado Xpress juice bars, stealing thousands of dollars in cash over the last week.
“Anyone who knows this man should recognize the tattoo,” said Det. Samer Issa, who is investigating the first case from the Panorama City outlet. “We’d really like to identify him before he strikes another business.”
Based upon the suspect’s actions, detectives believe he has inside information from an employee or former employee. “He takes his time in one burglary because he knew there was no alarm,” Det. Issa explained. “In another break-in, he actually had the combination to a lock to gain entry.”
Raspado Xpress is a chain of four juice bars owned locally by two brothers. The first burglary occurred March 28 in Panorama City, on Van Nuys Boulevard. The second occurred April 3, on Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima. The last burglary occurred April 6, when the suspect broke into the Sun Valley business on San Fernando Road. The chain’s fourth store in Sylmar has not been hit. All the burglaries occurred between 4 AM and 5 AM when the businesses were closed.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his 30s with a medium build and dark hair. The tattoo of what could be a cross or an emblem is prominent and unique on his right forearm.
“The owners are taking precautions now to safeguard their receipts with safes, installing alarms, and establishing better business practices,” Issa said. “Other businesses can learn from this too. Many of these security measures are a small price to pay for the peace of mind they buy. Certainly the previously installed cameras have given us a big boost in identifying this burglary, but the best security plan is layered.”
The video can be shot off a monitor at the LAPD’s Mission Police Station at 11121 N. Sepulveda Bl., Mission Hills, by contacting Det. Issa. We are unable to email the video.
Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Samer Issa, Mission Burglary detectives, at (818) 838-9977. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
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