North Miami Restaurant Burglaries Linked
NORTH MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A persistent and brazen burglar is captured on surveillance tape as he preys on two popular restaurants in North Miami Beach.
Victims are speaking out about this criminal. And North Miami Beach Police are issuing a safety alert because they are alarmed that it is a common practice for businesses to leave back doors open and unlocked, sometimes while expecting deliveries.
In both cases, the burglar entered through unlocked back doors.
"I feel terrible, I do. That makes me feel terrible," said Nancy Nanakoinpanom, the co-owner of the Thai House II Restaurant on the corner of Biscayne Boulevard and 163rd Street.
Sixteen cameras at her well-known restaurant captured the burglar. He is seen rummaging through the restaurant manager's office in the middle of the morning. He is seen looking for something of value and takes a coin box and bag with $2500 in cash.
The cameras capture this burglar casually walking in to the restaurant and walking down a hallway, going in and out of a bathroom and then walking to a curtain and looking out a window. He is seen prying open an office door and entering the office and then leaving with a coin box and a bag of money. He also takes a pink hand bag.
"I don't want this to happen to another restaurant," said Nanakoinpanom, who has helped run Thai House II for the past 15 years.
Nanakoinpanom told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that "It seems like he knew exactly the route that the delivery was coming. He came at a time that other employees would not notice what he was doing. When this happened, it showed that we have to be careful."
"This time he took some money. Who knows what he will take next time. Now we are making changes about out back door," she said. "I just don't feel good about this. He knew exactly when to come here. He must have been watching us. I want everyone to be careful and people to call police if they know him."
Nanakoinpanom reported that crime to police around 10:30 in the morning on May 24th.
Four days later and nine blocks east of her restaurant, the El Gran Inka restaurant which is known for its Peruvian food was victimized by the same burglar, police say. He is also seen walking in through the back door at the restaurant at 3155 NE 163rd Street. That crime happened at 9:17 p.m.
Fourteen cameras at the restaurant captured the burglar entering through a rear door and walking into an office and going through a purse. He is seen turning out the lights and locking a door as he leaves with a safe that has cash and an Apple iPad inside it along with some other items.
Police describe their suspect as "a black male who is between 170 and 200 pounds and between 25 and 30 years old."
Restaurant manager Ivan Valencia told D'Oench, "I feel terrible. Terrible. I hope police catch this guy. I am thinking this is at night. He is studying this restaurant and what is going on. I would like the public to come forward if they know this guy so could catch him. It would be great. One less bad guy on the streets."
If you can help solve this case or recognize the burglar, call North Miami Beach Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
