CHICAGO (WLS) — For 35 years, Franco’s restaurant in Bridgeport enjoyed a crime-free existence. However, the past two years have told a different story, with the establishment experiencing three break-ins.
Recent security footage revealed a man approaching the restaurant’s back entrance around 11:40 a.m. on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, he forcibly kicked open the door and entered. Additional cameras captured the intruder, masked and gloved, as he roamed the bar area, inspecting the liquor selection.
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“It was as if he was just looking to quench his thirst,” commented Frank Ruffalo, the owner of Franco’s. “He found some liquor and left with it.”
The suspect initially grabbed a few bottles from the bar before venturing into the basement, where he discovered cases of vodka.
Ruffalo noted that the damage inflicted on the premises surpasses the value of the stolen goods.
This incident marks the third burglary at Franco’s in the past two years. It comes on the heels of another break-in at Il Culaccino, a South Loop restaurant also owned by Ruffalo, just weeks earlier.
A security camera in that restaurant shows the suspect going through the cash register. He ended up getting away with a small amount of cash, but that did little to ease the headache and stress Ruffalo has to deal with.
“You can’t keep taking these losses. Our margins are very slim. It’s dimes and pennies, and when this happens, it’s a whole week’s profit. Two weeks. You never really know,” Ruffalo said.
Ruffalo says unfortunately, much of the cost gets passed on to the customers. And with high price of nearly everything already, fewer people are dining out these days. It is a frustrating situation. Ruffalo says he is glad that at least no one was inside the restaurant when the suspect broke in, so no one was hurt. But he is worried about the future.
“Now, it just seems like the businesses are meant to keep soaking it up and taking the hit. Eventually, these businesses are not going to be here anymore,” Ruffalo said.
Ruffalo says he would like to catch whoever is responsible for the break-ins. He says police have been responsive and helpful, but he is not optimistic they will be able to find anyone.
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