Early Thursday morning, around 4:45 a.m., Sazon Mexican Restaurant in Wichita was forced to close its doors again after a second break‑in. The incident follows a similar burglary that occurred in July, leaving the family‑run eatery scrambling to recover lost income and repair damage.
Owner describes the latest intrusion
Manager Eli Cruz said the new intruder differed from the July suspect. “The features that we can make out look way older than the other guy,” Cruz noted, pointing to the video footage that captured a person smashing the glass door with a heavy rock used to hold the restaurant’s flags.
“It’s a little hard to just immediately bounce back from it, but that’s what we’re trying to do,” Cruz added. “It’s annoying, it’s frustrating, it’s tiring, knowing that this could happen again, or that it has happened again.”
Costs and upgrades
The restaurant has received a quote of roughly $700 just for the replacement glass. While the owners are considering a stronger door, they also plan to invest in a more robust security system. “We’re looking into a better security system. Honestly, we’re trying to group the funds to actually invest in a security system like this,” Cruz said.
Neighbors worry about a ripple effect
Nearby business Bubl Works, a local coffee shop owned by Tyler Bronzell, expressed deep concern over the repeated crimes. “Honestly, every day I come here I’m scared that there’s gonna be a break‑in, and I feel relief when that’s not the case,” Bronzell said. He added that a break‑in could push the shop into debt and might even force it to relocate.
“Right now, I’m hoping to stay. If this happened to us, I’m not sure if we’d be able to stay here, honestly, because no matter how many cameras you can get, it can still happen,” Bronzell explained.
Community response
Local business owners are urging city officials to increase patrols and consider additional lighting in the area. While the Wichita Police Department has not released details about any ongoing investigation, they have encouraged businesses to report any suspicious activity promptly.
Both Sazon and Bubl Works hope that the upgraded door, stronger glass, and a new security system will deter future criminals and restore a sense of safety for employees and patrons alike.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
