Restaurant break-ins spanning 3 counties could be connected, police say

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Law enforcement from three counties in the area are trying to determine if a string of restaurant break-ins are connected.

Police have responded to similar cases in Lincoln, Burke and McDowell counties this week.

The thieves smashed a large rock through a window to get inside.

In several of the break-ins, they spent less than two minutes inside the restaurants before leaving.

"It was one of the registers they were after,” restaurant owner Wayne Abele said. “Seems like they knew where the registers were because they were so fast."

At Abele's restaurant, they not only stole cash but also a slab of meat from the walk-in cooler.

A short time later, the thieves also broke into the China Buffet.

Eight miles away in Valdese, they struck again at a Mexican restaurant by breaking through a side window before stealing money and deleting the restaurant's surveillance video.

"I really have no words because we work hard and for us, they don't really take us in to consideration,"

employee Jacqueline said.

Investigators said they are working closely with detectives in Marion where two restaurants have been hit during the last 48 hours.  In one of the cases, the thieves were driving a silver Infiniti QX-70 but were careful to cover up the tag before going inside.

Police said the break-ins are similar to four more cases in Lincoln County where the thieves were careful to conceal their identities.

Public safety officers in Burke County are also in touch with deputies in Lincoln County. They are stepping up patrols around restaurants across the area.

Cox Media Group