A South Surrey small-business owner is asking for the public's help to identify a person caught on video surveillance – during a spate of Grandview Corners break-ins – crawling into his restaurant.
Batty Cox and his wife, Sheila, are looking for the man who apparently left with a $200 cash box.
The restaurant was among six South Surrey businesses targeted early Aug. 2 within minutes of each other by the same suspect or suspects.
The businesses include Sheila's Bistro Lounge, Original Joe's, Kami Sushi, Crocodile Baby, Kababji Grill and Five Guys Burgers.
According to police, most of the businesses were accessed by punching in the main locks in a search for cash.
At least two businesses had cash on premises.
Cox told Peace Arch News his surveillance footage caught the intruder using rock to smash the glass to gain entry into the store. Once inside, the man – whom Cox described as in his 20s, five-foot-11 and Caucasian – searched the restaurant for cash before leaving with the $200.
"You could see him moving the candle holder aside before jumping over, so you can tell this kid, a small piece of him, in the back of his mind from when he was a good kid, knew to move them over to not break them," Cox said.
According to Cox, who also owns Sheila's Deli and Catering, this is not the first time a break in has occurred.
"We've had five break-ins in the last while, four in the deli," he said. "Now, after building this (lounge) up for the last year and two months, some punk kid comes in and steals from us."
Cox noted that the damage, which is close to $1,000, is just under his deductible, which means he will have to pay out of pocket.
"You work so hard to build something, and then this happens," he said.
According to police, forensics examined the scenes and police dogs scoured the area for clues, however no scent was picked up.
Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to call the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or if wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca