The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Broken glass and coffee beans everywhere.
That's what Trista Soave encountered when she arrived at her Brazilian restaurant off Granby Street near the Virginia Zoo on Tuesday morning.
A man used a chunk of concrete to smash the glass door and break in, stealing the cash drawer, computer and printer from O Jardim Brazilian Cafe. The computer and printer were found across La Valette Avenue in Lafayette Park.
Making matters worse, the same man apparently came back twice Tuesday night and broke into Let's Go! Pet Care, also stealing money. The building is owned by Eggleston Services, which employs people with disabilities and runs the pet center and also a garden center in the building.
"The worst part for me is that I'm just a small business owner, and everything like this sets me back," Soave said. "We all work so hard."
She estimates her cash drawer contained between $100 and $300 in mostly small bills and change.
Looking at surveillance footage, it appeared the burglar used concrete from nearby road construction on La Valette. On Tuesday around 7 p.m., Soave said, he broke into the pet center the same way but left without taking anything. Then he came back and stole money from the pet center around midnight, surveillance footage showed.
He wore an ODU sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and ducked his head inside the building to hide his face.
"He's definitely in good shape. And young," Soave said, reviewing footage on her laptop Wednesday.
Boards covered the broken doors. Soave said she will reopen the restaurant today.
Surveillance video is available here. Anyone with information on the burglar's identity may call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Patrick Wilson, (757) 222-3893, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
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Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Cheering or advocating violence
Sorry This Happened
I'm sorry to see this happened, but who leaves money in a cash drawer in this day and time? The cash drawer should be left empty and open, and petty cash should be locked away, out of sight. I sincerely hope this business owner doesn't continue to leave money to be stolen in the future, especially since this bad practice has now been seen in the Pilot.
penalty
Foolish behavior you hate to see. If this fellow is caught and found guilty what would his penalty likely be?
Wow
I hope they catch the guy; he's somewhat brazen it appears. Maybe he's just looking to get high.
Posters, let's stay on topic, the story is about burglaries, not semantics.
Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity. - Attributed
comments
Folks, this story is not the appropriate place to debate the proper way to describe people with mental disabilities. Please keep comments on topic. If anyone has any information on the break-ins, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. -Patrick Wilson, The Pilot.
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Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Off topic
When they find this sorry
When they find this sorry individual, they should make him work around some of the mentally retarded adults who attend the Eggelston Center. Maybe their integrity would wear off on him.
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Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Off topic
Comment deleted
Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Off topic