SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Surveillance video shows burglars ransacking a Pacific Beach brewpub hit hard by the pandemic.
Just past 6 p.m Thursday, while food and craft beer were being served up at the second-story Amplified Ale Works restaurant, a masked man was recorded while inside the first-floor office and shuttered music venue.
A mangled door revealed the intruder's entry point.
"Looks like he used a crowbar on the back door," said owner Alex Pierson.
Inside, he's seen rummaging through drawers, grabbing headphones and some other items before leaving. Pierson says the burglar returned hours later, and he wasn't alone.
"When they came back at 10:30 p.m., they ransacked everything," said Pierson.
For some 40 minutes, three men are seen helping themselves to whatever they wanted, filling up box after box.
In one clip, one of the thieves is seen sorting through paperwork. Several blank checks were found missing.
"It's that feeling of violation. It hurt. Also took several employees' bikes, several guitars, amps, eight cases of beer, merchandise and some other electronics," said Pierson.
For Pierson, the burglary is beyond disheartening.
"We're doing everything we can to keep our employees employed ... a 'being kicked while you're down' feeling," said Pierson.
Pierson says the impact of the pandemic has cut revenues for the eight-year-old brewpub in half. The loss from the theft is more than $5,000.
"In the end, it's not going to break us, but we're at such a point of breaking, as it is," said Pierson.
Pierson fears others have also felt the hurt. Recently, neighbors have reported similar break-ins at nearby businesses and homes.
Pierson is now hoping his video will lead to the capture of these thieves.
"Nothing to say they won’t continue to do this again in our community," said Pierson.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Crimestoppers at 888-580-8477.
