Local restaurant burglarized overnight

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Police are investigating a suspiciously thorough burglary at a South Florida restaurant.

Officials said the burglars cut a hole in the wall of a neighboring business. They then sneaked into the Caribe Restaurant, located at Flagler Street and Northwest 72nd Avenue, early Sunday morning.

Investigators said they raided the office, taking much more than cash. "It appears they've stolen the safe and all the camera equipment that records here and all the business owner's other locations," said Miami Police Officer Kenia Reyes.

The owner of the business, Jorge Alvarado, said the culprits made off with as much as $40,000 in cash. "They called me in at 4 in the morning to tell me that they broke my wall in the office and they took the safe, surveillance cameras and computers," said Alvarado.

Alvarado also said this is not the first time he's been hit by burglars, and he thinks this may be an inside job. Those responsible certainly went through great pains to cover their tracks, cutting the wires to surveillance cameras, taking DVDs of recordings made by the cameras, as well as the computers that recorded any footage of the scene.

Police said the crooks left behind tools and some gloves, which police are now examining.

If you have any information on this burglary, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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