Police in San Gabriel Valley search for man who allegedly committed 4 burglaries in one night

Police in the San Gabriel Valley are looking for a man who they believe committed four commercial burglaries in one night on April 22.

The Covina Police Department says an unidentified man broke into Mauricio's Mexican Food, Sam's Peruvian Restaurant, The Spot Teriyaki and Burger and El Patito Panaderia on the same night.

He allegedly used a brick to smash the front glass doors and stole cash from the registers and tills.

Monica Cruz, who owns Spot Teriyaki and Burger, said the suspect wore a dark hoodie and mask. He ran out of her restaurant with the tip jar money. 

"He had a rock in his hand and just threw it at the door; walked up and walked underneath," she said. 

Security camera video showed the suspect throwing with his left hand, using a sidearm motion. 

"It really made me sick to my stomach. It's happened to us before as well. It's not the first time. So, it makes me really upset that someone would come and take from us."

Cruz said her restaurant has been broken into at least four times over the years. They had to pay about $800 to replace their door, at a time when there are empty storefronts in their shopping center, showing how small businesses struggle to keep their doors open. 

"It's not just us," she said. "It's all the families that work for our company."

Camila Aguilar, manager of Mauricio's Mexican Food, said her cameras captured a similarly looking man breaking into her restaurant. She said the latest break-in is impacting their business. 

"People got scared, so they don't come to support us," Aguilar said.

Covina police are seeking any information that leads to the identification of the man they believe is responsible. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Cardoza. 

Officers have increased patrols in the area.