A series of break-ins recently rattled the Tri-Cities’ small business community, targeting establishments ranging from restaurants to an entertainment center and a salon.

“It’s tough when poor decisions hurt local restaurants that are barely surviving,” said Chris Corbin, owner of Summer’s Hub of Kennewick, which was broken into twice over the course of one weekend in October. 

“Local restaurants close all the time, they’re not opening all the time. It’s hard to survive on really small margins,” he said.

Other restaurants affected by the recent break-in spree included Kennewick’s Hubby’s Pizza, Cedars at Pier One, Zip’s by the Cable Bridge and West Richland’s Brick House Pizza.

Kennewick’s Z Place Salon and Spa, and Quake, the EpiCenter of Family Fun in Benton County, also reported break-ins, according to their social media. 

While not all of the break-ins are connected, investigations are underway and local police have advice on how businesses can deter would-be criminals. 

Hubby’s Pizza and Summer’s Hub

Kennewick police say the break-ins at Hubby’s Pizza and Summer’s Hub of Kennewick are the only ones that were connected. 

In both cases, two suspects used a stolen vehicle to ram into either a fence or a portion of the building to get in. In both instances, they stole either a cash till or an ATM. 

While the ATMs were recovered, they were damaged, said Kennewick police Detective Alexander Holden.

Hubby’s was broken into on Oct. 16 and was open for business the next day, according to its social media. 

Corbin said that Summer’s Hub of Kennewick was broken into shortly afterward, the night of Oct. 17 and again on Oct. 19.

Corbin said the thieves attempted to steal the office safe, then stole the cash register systems. Luckily, he said the Hub doesn’t keep cash in the registers overnight.

During the second break-in, burglars drove a car through the fence of the business, broke a window with a rock and stole the ATM.

Corbin estimated that the two Hub break-ins caused about $20,000 in damage. 

Kennewick police arrested an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old in connection with the burglaries. Both men also had outstanding felony warrants for unrelated crimes.

Other break-ins

In West Richland, a suspect broke the front door of Brick House Pizza with a rock and then crawled in, said West Richland police Detective Edwardo Magana.

The Oct. 7 burglary was interrupted when a delivery person came into the West Van Giesen Street restaurant. The suspect took off on foot. Nothing was taken from inside the building. No arrest was made that day but Magana said the suspect linked to the burglary is now in custody at the Benton County jail. 

Some of the suspect’s clothing and methods matched that of other burglaries in Kennewick and Pasco, Magana said, though not the incident at Hubby’s Pizza.

A break-in was also attempted at Quake in Benton County on Nov. 17. 

The suspect ran toward the freeway and was pursued and arrested, according to a Benton County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post. The captured suspect reportedly had bear spray and multiple power and burglary tools. 

The suspect was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of burglary and second-degree malicious mischief, according to the post.

Sheriff’s office officials said they were unable to comment on the case since the investigation is ongoing.

Safety tips

There’s no sure-fire way to prevent a break-in but there are a few strategies businesses can use to improve their odds, police say.

Surveillance cameras and exterior lighting are “two of the most basic and most effective things when it comes to capturing people that are either attempting to burgle or are casing out a place just looking for opportunities – those are huge deterrents,” said Sgt. Justin Gerry, Benton County Sheriff’s Office’s public information officer.

Holden said surveillance footage played an important role in the investigation of the Hubby’s and Summer’s Hub break-ins.

Good alarm systems are also helpful, and business owners should ensure that they minimize the amount of cash and valuables at the location, keep desirable items out of sight, and bolt ATMs to the ground. 

Gerry added that people should call the police if there’s someone who looks like they shouldn’t be there.

Community

For local businesses, break-ins like this are difficult, Corbin said. Running a small business is hard enough, and when break-ins happen, the impact extends beyond the owners to the employees, vendors and the community that relies on the business.

“It’s really sad to know that there’s people in our community that are trying and thinking of ways to hurt the people that serve the community,” Corbin said, especially since the Hub’s mission centers on being a community gathering place.

While Summer’s Hub of Kennewick has increased some of its security measures, including more cameras and an alarm with a quicker response time, those are also increased costs in addition to recovering the costs stemming from the initial damages, he said.

Summer’s Hub and other businesses saw an outpouring of support on social media. Corbin said this community support is welcome, especially during the slow winter months.  

He said he’s been able to forgive the burglar, and with the holiday season at hand, it’s important not to focus on negativity.

“It’s about the good and focusing on love and sharing joy for one another,” Corbin said. “…That’s what we want to promote.”