Crime & Safety
Burglar Hits 5 Alameda Businesses in 5 Days
Police think the same person may be responsible for all five break-ins.
Detectives are investigating five commercial burglaries within a week — three of them reported Sunday morning, Jan. 26 — that may have been committed by the same person, an Alameda Police Department spokesperson said.
Victims of the Sunday break-ins were La Penca Azul, 1440 Park St.; Papa Murphy's and the Island Cafe, which share a location at 1929 Broadway; and Alameda Entertainment Associates, 2301 Central Ave., which formerly housed Angela's Bistro and Bar.
Similar burglaries were reported Jan. 22 at the Sidestreet Pho restaurant, 2304 Encinal Ave., and the Parrot AT&T store at 2601 Blanding Ave.
Sgt. Jeff Emmitt of the APD's property crimes unit said the crimes share a similar MO (modus operandi), with the perpetrator using a rock or other hard object to smash a glass window or door and gain access to the businesses.
The burglar stole mainly cash, Emmitt said. In the Papa Murphy's break-in, two cash registers were stolen from the restaurant.
Investigators hope to identify the thief through surveillance video from some of the burglary sites, Emmitt said.
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