Burglar Hits Three Family Owned Juice Shops NR15118ti

Panorama City: Detectives
released video of a Hispanic man with a distinctive tattoo on his
right forearm, who has broken into three Raspado Xpress juice bars,
stealing thousands of dollars in cash over the last week.

“Anyone who knows this man should recognize the tattoo,” said Det.
Samer Issa, who is investigating the first case from the Panorama
City outlet. “We’d really like to identify him before he strikes
another business.”

Based upon the suspect’s actions, detectives believe he has inside
information from an employee or former employee. “He takes his time
in one burglary because he knew there was no alarm,” Det. Issa
explained. “In another break-in, he actually had the combination to
a lock to gain entry.”

Raspado Xpress is a chain of four juice bars owned locally by two
brothers. The first burglary occurred March 28 in Panorama City, on
Van Nuys Boulevard. The second occurred April 3, on Laurel Canyon
Blvd. in Pacoima. The last burglary occurred April 6, when the
suspect broke into the Sun Valley business on San Fernando Road.
The chain’s fourth store in Sylmar has not been hit. All the
burglaries occurred between 4 AM and 5 AM when the businesses were
closed.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his 30s with a medium
build and dark hair. The tattoo of what could be a cross or an
emblem is prominent and unique on his right forearm.

“The
owners are taking precautions now to safeguard their receipts with
safes, installing alarms, and establishing better business
practices,” Issa said. “Other businesses can learn from this too.
Many of these security measures are a small price to pay for the
peace of mind they buy. Certainly the previously installed cameras
have given us a big boost in identifying this burglary, but the
best security plan is layered.”

***The video can be shot off a monitor at the LAPD’s Mission Police
Station at 11121 N. Sepulveda Bl., Mission Hills, by contacting
Det. Issa***.

Anone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Samer
Issa, Mission Burglary detectives, at (818) 838-9977. Anonymous
tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or
by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.
All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips
may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow
the prompts.