Rash of smash and grabs at businesses in North Salinas

UPDATE 7/4/2017 4:15 p.m.:

Salinas police are investigating a series of smash and grabs at a popular North Salinas shopping center.

At least five businesses at the Creekbridge Village Shopping Center near Constitution Boulevard and Laurel Drive have been broken into over the past month. The latest victim, Siempre Tax.

“It’s just shocking,” Monica Ferreira said. “Shocking because you think it’s never going to happen to you.”

Her business was broken into sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Thieves stole two computers and a printer. Her sense of security, like the front door, is shattered.

Nearby shops say the tax service business wasn’t the only one hit this week. Witnesses say nearby bakery Pattycakes was also broken into.

Employees at other businesses confirm they’ve been victims as well, including Panda Express, Creekside Bagel Bakery and Wingstop.

Wingstop was broken into last month with thieves making off with the cash registers. Surveillance footage captured the crime and the suspects, which appear to be two guys on bicycles.

Despite being victimized before, employees say it is surprising for this kind of crime to happen in a place like Creekbridge.

“Here, you wouldn’t think it would be as bad,” Iliana Izquierdo said.

Meantime, back at Monica’s tax service business, she’s feeling frustration on this 4th of July.

“I’m upset but I’m also sad because they don’t know how much work it takes to put in the computers and put it all the equipment inside the office,” Ferreira said.

No word if other businesses have surveillance video of the suspects in action.

ORIGINAL POST:

Siempre Tax is the latest victim in a string of burglaries in North Salinas.

The tax business located in the Creek Bridge Village shopping mall had two computers and a printer taken after someone broke in through the front door Monday night.

Witnesses said Patty Cakes was hit by burglars earlier this week. Within the last couple of weeks Creekside Bagel Bakery, Wingstop, and Panda Express were also victims.

KION’s Mariana Hicks spoke with the businesses and will have the latest at 5 p.m.

WINGSTOP North Salinas 6/9/2017