Surveillance footage shows a break-in at the Colossal Sandwich Shop, and Bedford police believe three break-ins that happened in the city on Tuesday morning are related.
BEDFORD, Texas — Several small businesses in the mid-city area were robbed early Tuesday morning.
According to Bedford Police, three incidents occurred at three businesses along the Airport Freeway.
Surveillance footage shows a masked individual smashing through the glass doors of Colossal Sandwich Shop around midnight. The footage shows the suspect enter the restaurant, jump over the counter and make off with several items.
Store owner Jonathan Merrill said this is the third time his store has been robbed in the last two years.
“I couldn’t believe this was happening again,” Merrill said.
Merrill told WFAA the suspects fled Tuesday with about $50 and an iPhone — not a huge amount, but several windows were damaged, which could cost hundreds of dollars.
Bedford Police confirmed that three businesses were robbed on Tuesday, including the Bedford Ice House and Urban Air Trampoline Park. All three businesses are located along the Airport Freeway.
Police said they believe all three incidents were committed by the same person, but the investigation is ongoing and they hope to gather more surveillance footage to identify suspects.
Merrill plans to install better lighting around the business and purchase an improved security system.
“The day that we have to put bars on our windows might be the day that we don’t want to be in a cash business. I don’t think that’s right,” Merrill said.
In addition to the Bedford incident, another business less than seven miles away was attacked on Tuesday. Surveillance footage from the Big Apple Cafe on Trinity Boulevard in Fort Worth showed four masked people with crowbars entering the restaurant around 3 a.m.
Owner Joe Gallant said the suspects broke into his office, damaged fixtures and broke into the restaurant’s ATM, taking between $3,000 and $6,000 and then fled.
“I’m frustrated,” Gallant said. “I’ve run a business and worked hard for 32 years and this is what happens.”
Gallant said the restaurant industry is already struggling with rising costs, so the robbery will hurt revenue.
“It’s a sad situation,” Gallant said. “God bless us that no one was hurt.”
Merrill shared news of the robbery on social media, and soon after, a flood of customers stopped by to offer their help.
“It’s been nonstop,” Merrill said. “The community has stepped up for us.”
