Of 717 restaurant burglaries reported in 2023, there have only been 13 arrests (NBC los angeles)
An I-Team investigations found that when restaurant thieves are caught, which rarely happens, they're often released on zero bail and commit other crimes.
It was a familiar scene at the popular La Boheme restaurant in West Hollywood last month, when a gang of masked thieves broke open the door at 2:20 a.m., smashed their way into the office, and carted off the safe with $20,000 inside.
His West Hollywood restaurant has been hit by criminals 10 times in the last two years.
Of 717 restaurant burglaries reported in 2023, there have only been 13 arrests. Of those arrested, some have been immediately released, and court and jail records show some have gone on to commit additional crimes.
I-Team asked LA County District Attorney George Gascon to discuss cases like those involving Vejar and Taylor, but his office told us in an email, "Due to a very busy calendar, DA Gascón is not available to sit for the interview."
In a statement to NBC4, Gascon's office said, These offense are legally considered non-violent, non-serious charges. As a result in the earlier arrests, our office did not seek cash bail. Once it was apparent that these two men were repeat offenders, our office did in fact seek cash bail.
Watch video in link:
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/investigations/restaurant-burglaries-in-los-angeles-have-increased-but-for-thieves-there-are-few-consequences/3263111/