Police Hunt For Serial Burglars Caught On Camera Targeting At Least 2 South Bay Shops

REDONDO BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Police are looking for a group of men caught on camera burglarizing at least two stores in the South Bay.

Inside Wanna Chill? on Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach Tuesday, the store owner, Shaista Zaragoza, was fired up.

Her sense of security at her shave-ice shop was shattered along with her front glass door.

Multiple security cameras captured four men using a hammer to break in last week.

They immediately ran right for the register and grabbed handfuls of cash. They were in and out in less than a minute.

"Why? why? It's a community dessert shop. It's for children and families, for people to get together and hang out. We're not like this big corporate company. We're just a little family business, why?" Zaragoza asked.

And the thieves didn't stop there. Police believed the same men went down the street 30 minutes later to a Shell gas station at Beryl Street and Prospect Avenue with their hammer in hand.

Zaragoza said witnesses saw a similar looking 2009 gold Chrysler van with tinted rear windows at the gas station and near two car break-ins that same night.

These thieves' crimes and their impact seemed to be piling on. "They terrorized us. I hope someone recognizes these people," Zaragoza said.

Police believe some of the men are about 20 years old. The cameras caught at least three of their faces and a hat that may read "Long Beach."

Zaragoza has gotten back to business and fixed her door. "We can replace all of this. But I can't replace somebody's life," she said.

She has been warning her neighbors that these thieves may attack again during the holidays.