The owner of several restaurants in Sacramento is urging city officials for increased police presence after his businesses were targeted by burglars three times in less than a month.The break-ins occurred at Mercado Urbano and Octopus Peru on Ninth Street at the end of February, followed by another incident at La Cosecha restaurant across the street just days later.”Historically, 10 years we’ve had break-ins. I used to call it ‘it’s part of doing business in downtown,’ but honestly, now it’s starting to kill the spirit,” said Ernesto Delgado, who leads the Ernesto Delgado Hospitality Group. “I definitely feel we need more police presence,” he said. The repeated burglaries have resulted in significant financial losses for Delgado, who has had to replace glass doors multiple times. “We have them on video and you know, cameras, alarms, that’s a whole lot of additional cost for a business,” he said. Delgado also noted that crime around his businesses has increased over the past year, adding, “It shouldn’t be part of doing business in downtown.”In response to the situation, Delgado has taken his concerns to the Sacramento City Council twice, seeking more support from city leaders. “I was here last Tuesday to talk about a couple break-ins at Mercado Urbano on 9th Street and Octopus Peru. This was Sunday night, early Monday morning. There was two break-ins the same night, and I’m here again today to speak to you all because we were broken in again at La Cosecha,” he said.Delgado suspects that the same individuals may be responsible for the break-ins, stating, “In many ways, I feel like it’s the same people coming back because they seem to have figured it out, because we get broken into three to four times. I also feel sometimes that it’s targeted because it’s Latino businesses.”Sacramento police are in the early stages of investigating the burglaries and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Delgado hopes that increased attention from police and city officials will help prevent further crimes. “There should be all these types of different things to help address each and every one of those concerns. Because this part of this plaza is ignored is why they know they can break in and get away with it,” he said.Despite the challenges, Delgado remains committed to his businesses, stating that he is replacing broken doors and cleaning up damage, and he has no plans to leave.Sacramento police are investigating the break-ins and ask anyone with information to come forward. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

The owner of several restaurants in Sacramento is urging city officials for increased police presence after his businesses were targeted by burglars three times in less than a month.

The break-ins occurred at Mercado Urbano and Octopus Peru on Ninth Street at the end of February, followed by another incident at La Cosecha restaurant across the street just days later.

“Historically, 10 years we’ve had break-ins. I used to call it ‘it’s part of doing business in downtown,’ but honestly, now it’s starting to kill the spirit,” said Ernesto Delgado, who leads the Ernesto Delgado Hospitality Group.

“I definitely feel we need more police presence,” he said.

The repeated burglaries have resulted in significant financial losses for Delgado, who has had to replace glass doors multiple times.

“We have them on video and you know, cameras, alarms, that’s a whole lot of additional cost for a business,” he said.

Delgado also noted that crime around his businesses has increased over the past year, adding, “It shouldn’t be part of doing business in downtown.”

In response to the situation, Delgado has taken his concerns to the Sacramento City Council twice, seeking more support from city leaders.

“I was here last Tuesday to talk about a couple break-ins at Mercado Urbano on 9th Street and Octopus Peru. This was Sunday night, early Monday morning. There was two break-ins the same night, and I’m here again today to speak to you all because we were broken in again at La Cosecha,” he said.

Delgado suspects that the same individuals may be responsible for the break-ins, stating, “In many ways, I feel like it’s the same people coming back because they seem to have figured it out, because we get broken into three to four times. I also feel sometimes that it’s targeted because it’s Latino businesses.”

Sacramento police are in the early stages of investigating the burglaries and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Delgado hopes that increased attention from police and city officials will help prevent further crimes.

“There should be all these types of different things to help address each and every one of those concerns. Because this part of this plaza is ignored is why they know they can break in and get away with it,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Delgado remains committed to his businesses, stating that he is replacing broken doors and cleaning up damage, and he has no plans to leave.

Sacramento police are investigating the break-ins and ask anyone with information to come forward.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel