SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Police Department is asking for help identifying a person involved in a series of restaurant burglaries.
Police released pictures of the man trying to break open a safe with a sledgehammer. They say the suspect is 20 to 35 years old. He was last seen wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.
At around 3 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, the man broke the front glass door of a Round Table Pizza, located at 10415 Tierrasanta Boulevard. He used the sledgehammer to try to access the safe but was unsuccessful.
He then went next door to Tutuli Mexican Eatery, located at 10425 Tierrasanta Boulevard. He once again broke out the front glass window to get into the restaurant. Police said this time he was able to break open the safe and took money.
CBS 8 spoke to the owner of Tutuli Mexican Eatery. Alejandro Ochoa said the burglar took about $6,000 from the safe. They opened their business only three weeks ago.
"This is our first place, our first business," Ochoa said. "We have this horrible surprise, but we are going to keep going."
The SDPD said detectives are investigating a series of similar commercial burglaries all over San Diego.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Brian French with Eastern Division Investigations at bfrench@pd.sandiego.gov, or contact the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.