SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Police are investigating an early morning burglary at a family-owned pizza shop in Scripps Ranch.
The owner of Pazzo’s Pizza on Scripps Trail explained it’s not the first time his business has been targeted and even though not much was taken, he’s hopeful someone knows something that will lead to arrests.
“It’s an amateur job, but at the same time it’s a beautiful community and we don’t want that stuff happening,” said David Vitale.
Surveillance video shows a man in a cap, black jacket and khaki pants approach the side door at Pazzo’s Pizza just before 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. He then takes out a crowbar and pops the door open.
Just after the first man walks into the restaurant, a second man wearing a black hoodie, dark pants and white gloves runs in.
“They’re still wanting to rip out the cash drawer and take it with them, even though it was open and empty,” said Vitale.
The pizza shop owner said the burglars didn’t make off entirely empty handed.
“They took three of our tablets and that’s going to affect our business for, you know, the amount of business that we can take in,” Vitale explained.
He added, the damaged caused will cost him a few thousand dollars to repair.
“There’s like a shock on the door that’s completely blown out, he continued. “You could tell the door just swings freely now. It’s kind of messed up.”
Before breaking into his shop, other surveillance cameras caught the two men scoping out the shopping center its located in.
Neighbors are now rallying behind the restaurant by stopping by for a bite.
“We were here last night and it’s heartbreaking to say the least,” said customer Melissa Heck.
Even though the burglary left some rattled, others like Hack said, “I feel like we’re safe and support Pazzo’s and I think the community will have a huge outreach and support everything and recoup whatever was lost.”
Surveillance video shows the two burglars driving off in a dark-colored SUV.
Vitale said he’s putting up a $1,000 reward for information that helps lead to their arrests.
“It would be great to catch them and get these guys off the streets,” he said.
The restaurant owner filed a police report and anyone with information is urged to contact the San Diego Police Department.
