Hard-hit Central Valley Store Burglarized Again
PATTERSON (CBS13) -- A frustrated Central Valley business owner says he's considering selling his market or sleeping there to catch burglars after the store was vandalized again over the weekend -- the fifth time in a year.
Burglars caused $1,000 worth of damage early Saturday morning when they broke into El Sol Market at 200 N. Second St. in Patterson and stole $80 to $90 worth of raw meat and beer.
Security camera footage showed two men involved in the crime at about 3:30 a.m., said Efren Hernandez, owner of the 17,000-square-foot store.
One man broke into the business through the glass door, smashing it with a crowbar, and handed another man the meat and beer. The two men made off with two 30-packs of beer, three 18-packs and about nine or 10 pounds worth of raw meat, Hernandez said.
Hernandez says he can't catch a break. "I'm already losing $1,000 without getting out of bed," he tells CBS13's Andrea Menniti.
The store is equipped with an alarm in addition to the security cameras, but the suspects were in and out in under two minutes.
"We get there, they're already at home barbequing and having their fresh beer," Hernandez said.
Another store owner nearby said she's worried about her own business being next.
"When I saw the glass shattered and the door, it makes me feel violated and so unsafe," Susanna Serrato said.
It's been Hernandez's lifelong dream to own his own store but now he's thinking he might sale the business "and work for someone else."
