Burglars hit Galleria food court

Police are investigating a string of burglaries that occurred this week at restaurants inside the Glendale Galleria.

Thieves broke into three restaurants sometime early Tuesday and stole cash and equipment before fleeing the mall on the 100 block of West Broadway unnoticed, according to Glendale police.

“There is a strong likelihood it’s that same suspect or suspects,” Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Employees at Stone Oven Grill, La Salsa and the Great Khan discovered the burglaries when they arrived at work that morning.

Stone Oven Grill employees hopped over the restaurant’s front counter and noticed food scattered on the floor. When they tried to clock into the restaurant’s computer, they noticed it wasn’t working.

While Stone Oven Grill assistant manager Daniel Cardona declined to comment on the burglary due to the ongoing police investigation, he said camera systems and locking devices need to be improved throughout the mall.

His employees discovered cash and some equipment were stolen, but didn’t see any signs of forced entry, according to police.

Moments later, a La Salsa restaurant manager hailed down an officer to report a similar theft.

The manager noticed the restaurant safe had been tampered with, but no cash was stolen.

The manager told police he didn’t suspect any former employees of burglarizing the restaurant, according to police reports.

Stone Oven Grill and La Salsa are on the first-floor food court in the mall.

Great Khan, on the third floor with an open dining area, has no security equipment inside the mall, according to police. Employees there reported cash was stolen.

Police noticed that fastening bolts had been pried open to the restaurant’s back door.

The mall has endured it fair share of burglaries, including a brazen early morning smash-and-grab theft in 2009 that resulted in the loss of hundreds of dollars worth of jewelry. Still, Galleria officials maintain the mall is secure.

“Glendale Galleria maintains a proper level of security at all times,” the mall’s General Manager Larry Martin said in a statement. “In matters like these, we always allow the professionals at the Glendale Police Department to handle this officially.”

Lorenz advised businesses inside the mall to check their security systems and equipment to ensure it is working properly.

Anyone with details about the burglaries was asked to call the Police Department’s burglary detail at (818) 548-4047. To remain anonymous, call the Glendale Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.