Five businesses hit by door-smashing burglars

Burglars used a sledge hammer to smash the glass doors of five Fallbrook businesses between 3 and 4 a.m. Dec. 26 and attempted to break into store cash registers.

"It seems to be a pretty average commercial burglary spree," said San Diego County Sheriff's Department detective Steve Ashkar. "Somebody smashed their glass doors and went in and played with their cash registers."

Yama Sushi Restaurant, Thai Thai Restaurant and Little Caesars Pizza, all located in the shopping center on the 1000 block of South Main Avenue that is anchored by Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, and Rosa's Mexican Food and Domino's Pizza, both located at 175 South Mission Road, were the businesses hit.

"Good circulation," joked Steve Lim, owner of Yama Sushi, of his broken glass door.

Lim was taking the burglary in stride and was pleased that the thieves that broke his cash register "didn't get anything."

As of Thursday, Dec. 28, there is no known monetary loss as the suspects encountered empty tills and impenetrable safes.

Lim stated he viewed footage taken from a surveillance camera at Little Caesars and reported that it showed two individuals breaking in at approximately 3:30 a.m. "Two guys did it," said Lim. "They used a hammer to break the glass."

Surveillance footage also showed the suspects arriving in a black sedan of unknown make and model.

All of the business, with the exception of Thai Thai, were open to customers Dec. 26. Thai Thai is closed for the holidays until Jan. 1.

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call the Fallbrook substation at (760) 451-3100.