A group of small businesses in Miami is facing a tough situation following a series of thefts that occurred at a popular food truck plaza.
The suspect, captured by security cameras, is said to have returned at least twice, forcing doors, disconnecting equipment, and causing damages that exceed five thousand dollars, according to the owners themselves.
Repeated robberies in the same location
The setting of the events is the food truck plaza located at 633 NE 79th St, Miami, where several entrepreneurs have seen their businesses affected in less than a month.
The security cameras show a man acting stealthily between the stalls, using a screwdriver to open doors and manipulate equipment.
In a first incursion, it affected four food trucks; in a second, it struck again, this time against three other businesses.
"The worst part isn't what was stolen, it's all the damage caused. Between materials, labor, and the losses, we've exceeded five thousand dollars," explained Yeikel Santos, one of the affected individuals. "Today we have to either shut down or work partially to make repairs."
The owners report that the suspect entered the premises with his face covered during the first attempt, but on the second occasion, he appeared without a mask, which allowed for clearer images of his face to be obtained.
How did he/she get in and what did he/she take?
Although the square is fenced off, the owners believe that the intruder accessed it from the back, disconnecting the power to disable some of the cameras.
“Apparently, it took our electricity and at the moment it was cut, the cameras stopped recording,” reported one of the merchants.
The main haul consisted of delivery service tablets and their chargers, essential tools for managing orders and sales.
"Thank God the money wasn't in the cash register, but he took all the tablets from the platforms and even the chargers," explained another owner.
The case also had unusual moments.
Andy Molina, who had just set up his truck in the square, ironically noted that even "a six-pack of beer" intended for the inauguration went missing among the stolen items.
Double blow for small businesses
The affected individuals insist that the greatest harm is not the value of what was stolen, but the additional costs for repairs and the losses incurred from days of inactivity.
Cerraduras rotas, vitrinas dañadas, cableado arrancado y sistemas eléctricos inutilizados forman parte de la factura.
"Every day we don't sell is money lost. We've already set up an alarm and reinforced the doors with locks. We need to overcome this," said another owner, resigned to spending even more to enhance security.
Investigation underway
The Miami Police are in charge of the case. Fingerprints have been collected at the scene, and videos that clearly show the alleged perpetrator are being reviewed.
The authorities have asked the community to assist with any leads that could help locate him.
Anyone with information can contact the Miami Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers directly, anonymously.
How it entered and what it took
Although the area is fenced off, those affected believe that the intruder accessed it from the back and managed to disconnect the power, which would have disabled some cameras before stealing equipment.
"Apparently, it took our electricity and at the moment it was cut, the cameras stopped recording," explained one of the owners.
The main targets were delivery service tablets and their chargers.
"Thank God the money wasn't in the cash register, but he took all the tablets from the platforms and even the chargers," said one of the owners.
Andy Molina, also the owner of a food truck, said: "We just set up the food truck in the plaza." Molina added with irony that "even a six-pack of beer" intended for the inauguration vanished.
Double blow for small businesses
Each vandalized business is paying out of pocket to reopen: new locks, doors, display cases, and wiring. In daily economic terms, a day without sales is an extra blow.
“We’ve already set the alarm and reinforced the doors with locks. It’s time to overcome this,” said another of the owners.
The Miami Police are in charge of the case. Fingerprints were collected at the scene, and there are photos and videos of the alleged perpetrator.
Anyone with information can contact the Miami Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Recent Thefts at Food Truck Businesses in Miami
What happened at the food truck plaza in Miami?
A man stole from several food truck businesses in a plaza in Miami, causing damage exceeding five thousand dollars. The suspect was captured by security cameras and returned to the location at least twice to commit the thefts.
How did the thief manage to get into the food truck plaza?
Despite the fact that the square is fenced off, the thief accessed through the back and disconnected the power supply to disable some security cameras, allowing him to carry out the thefts without being completely detected.
What did the thief take from the food trucks?
The main loot taken by the thief included delivery service tablets and their chargers, essential for managing orders and sales for the affected businesses. He also took a six-pack of beer intended for the opening of one of the trucks.
How has theft affected food truck businesses?
In addition to the value of the stolen goods, businesses face additional costs for repairs and losses due to days of inactivity. This includes broken locks, damaged showcases, and non-functional electrical systems, which represents a double blow for small business owners.
What actions is the police taking regarding the thefts?
The Miami Police are in charge of the investigation and have collected fingerprints and videos showing the alleged perpetrator. The community is encouraged to assist with any information that could help locate the suspect by contacting the Miami Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers anonymously.
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