The owner of the California bakery looted last week by a mob of more than 100 looters is heartbroken for his family’s business and angry that no one has been punished as he criticized rising crime in the state.
Ruben’s Bakery & Mexican Food in Compton was the target of a massive attack when looters used a Kia to enter the front of the store during an illegal street takeover on January 2.
Rubén Ramírez Jr. says his parents opened their store almost 50 years ago after immigrating to the country and were heartbroken to see their work become a victim of crime.
“At first, like anyone, we were angry and then sad,” Ramirez Jr. told Fox News. “The worst thing was watching my parents, who built something for over 48 years, almost lose it because of this violence that’s happening right now.”
“These street shots in Compton have gone from bad to worse.”
The store, which survived the 1992 Rodney King riots and the COVID pandemic, has never been closed for more than a day, with Christmas and New Year’s being the exceptions.
Rubén Ramírez Jr. says his parents opened their store almost 50 years ago after immigrating to the country and were heartbroken to see their work become a victim of crime. FOX 11 Los Angeles/YouTube
Ramirez Jr., however, was forced to close for several days due to the extensive amount of damage sustained and property stolen.
Looters caused at least $70,000 worth of damage for everything stolen during the massive looting, which included food, money, lottery tickets and other store equipment, including cash registers and meat scales.
Ramirez Jr. also said a lot of food had to be thrown away due to the possibility of it being contaminated or damaged.
The illegal street takeover in Compton began about a mile away before the looters reached the bakery. CBS Los Angeles The robbery began after a white Kia backed into the store’s front doors, creating an entrance for looters to enter. CBS Los Angeles
The bakery has also lost income because the first week of January is usually busy because they make special bread for the holidays.
Ramirez Jr. said his family is not the only one in the neighborhood frustrated by illegal late-night gatherings that often result in violence and crime.
“My neighbors here tell me the same thing, they are with us and they want this to stop, but I don’t know how it can be stopped,” said Ramírez Jr.
The store lost at least $70,000 due to the amount of food, money, cash registers, meat scales and lottery tickets stolen, in addition to the damage sustained. NBC4 News Ramirez Jr. and his family looked at security footage to see if they could recognize any of the looters, but most of them were covering their faces. CBS Los Angeles
Ramirez Jr. hopes the vandals see justice, but he is more focused on rebuilding his business while continuing to serve the community and “and make everyone happy without food.”
After the looting, the store owners used security footage to determine who the criminals were who robbed their business, but they could not recognize anyone because most of them were wearing masks and hoods.
“It was heartbreaking to watch,” Ramirez Jr. said of the surveillance footage.
“We need better policies for the community to help us. I would say that sometimes these relaxed laws don’t help, and the people who suffer are the working people. “I hate to say it, but no one gets punished for anything.”
The damage to the store is seen hours after the illegal mob looted the store and stole most of the products inside. CBS Los Angeles A worker screws a temporary wood panel to the store’s front entrance, hours after the Kia was intentionally pushed into the front of the store. CBS Los Angeles
Compton officials say they are working to crack down on illegal street takeovers.
“The city of Compton is working closely with the Sheriff’s Department to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible,” Compton Mayor Emma Sharif said in a statement to the Post. “Ensuring the safety of our city’s businesses and residents is our top priority. “No local business should have to endure such fear and destruction.”
“The incident that occurred this morning in District 2 was absolutely unacceptable. “It is extremely disheartening to see a local business attacked and destroyed,” said Compton City Councilman Andre Spicer, who represents the area where the bakery is located.
“We need to support our local businesses and make sure criminals know that we will not tolerate the destruction of our beloved local establishments, which are the backbone of our city,” Spicer added.
The store partially reopened on January 5, after being closed for three days, as the owners continued to rebuild the business to what it was before the looting occurred. CBS Los Angeles
The store was partially reopened on Jan. 5, and Ramirez Jr. told Fox 11 Los Angeles “it feels good to be back.”
A family friend created a GoFundMe with a goal of $75,000 that would help the store fully reopen, with part of the proceeds shared with employees.
The crowdfunding project has raised more than $77,000 as of Sunday morning.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn