VIDEO: Burglars smash into 3 popular NoDa businesses, stealing cash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Someone broke into and damaged three popular NoDa businesses just a few feet from one another sometime in the past 24 hours, authorities said.

The crimes were reported just days after a surveillance camera captured clear video of a burglar breaking into another business just around the corner, police said.

Steven Kuney, the executive chef at the Crepe Cellar, showed Channel 9 anchor Blaine Tolison the entrance to the restaurant, which is boarded up after someone smashed it on Sunday.

"You’re trying to provide jobs and provide a nice place for people to go, and then somebody has to come in here, knock us and knock Cabo (Fish Taco) and Jack Beagles the next day," Kuney said.

The Crepe Cellar, Cabo Fish Taco and Jack Beagles were hit in the last 24 hours.

The front doors of both Cabo Fish Taco and Jack Beagles were smashed.

"It’s more of just disappointment in a community that these things keep happening,” said resident Whitney Hodges.

Police said they chased a burglar who they said grabbed a cash register inside Cabo Fish Taco around 5:30 a.m., but the culprit was able to get away.

Someone smashed into the Crepe Cellar around the same time Sunday and grabbed a register with $500 inside.

"There’s definitely the loss of the money from the register, but more importantly you know the damage done to the restaurant, the feeling of kind of being violated,” Kuney said.

Channel 9 on Wednesday aired clear video of a man with a bandanna around his face, walking around the Company Store on Yadkin Avenue.

Police said the thief made off with $300.

Local businesses owners said they have already ramped up security with cameras and alarms, but it doesn't seem to deter thieves.

“It seems like they’re a little bit emboldened, you know? Once they do it once and get away with it, what's the repercussion?" Kuney said.

All the break-ins are still under investigation, and police are trying to figure out if the cases over the last 24 hours are connected.

Witnesses told police that they spotted a black Jeep Cherokee Sunday morning that might have been connected to the crimes.

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