Pleasanton police are investigating a coordinated series of break-ins that struck at least 18 local businesses before dawn on Thursday. The incidents, which included the Pacific Pearl shopping center on Stoneridge Drive, resulted in shattered glass, damaged windows, and the theft of cash and registers.
While the financial loss varied by location, with some owners reporting hundreds of dollars taken, the cost of repairs for broken entry points was often higher than the value of the stolen items.
Surveillance footage captured by local media shows a masked individual using a device to break the glass door of a sushi restaurant at approximately 3:50 a.m. The intruder entered the establishment, removed a cash register, and exited through the broken doorway. A similar incident occurred at a Korean fried chicken restaurant, where the owner stated that about $300 was stolen.
At another Chinese restaurant, staff discovered a register on the floor with approximately $20 missing, though the damage to the property was more significant.
Pleasanton police Lt. Brandon Stocking confirmed that officers pursued four suspects following a burglary at a different shopping center. The chase involved a Lexus GS, but law enforcement terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns. Stocking stated that the department is working to identify the individuals responsible for the damage and theft.
Business owners in the area expressed concern over the security of their establishments. Mika Bhakta, who owns a dessert shop at the Pacific Pearl shopping center, noted that the incident was unsettling for a community that typically feels safe. Although her specific business was not targeted, she described the situation as devastating for the local environment.
