Thieves smash into more restaurants, businesses

ATLANTA - FOX 5 has learned of at least eight smash and grabs among restaurants and small businesses in Atlanta, targeting primarily the cash registers inside.

Businesses tell FOX 5 they are baffled by the thefts, because the registers contain little to no cash.

"It is frustrating. There's a wave going on down here for sure," said Byron Fullmer, general manager of Inman Quarter Beer Market, which experienced a break-in Thursday morning.

Surveillance shows the thieves throwing a rock into the business, then stealing the cash register.

Police said other businesses targeted the past two days include Spotted Trotter in Kirkwood, Gunshow in Glenwood, Framed Glenwood, and Urban Evolution Salon in the Old Fourth Ward.

FOX 5 previously reported on thefts throughout other Northeast and Southeast Atlanta neighborhoods with the same pattern.

Atlanta Police said they are investigating if the crimes are the work of local gangs.

At Framed Glenwood, the staff discovered thieves smashed the glass of their business. Surveillance shows them looking around before leaving empty-handed. Damage and lost business cost the clinic $2,500, said optometrist Dr. Ralph Herold. 

"We're the ones who are most vulnerable to this, and who can really afford this the least," Herold said.

Urban Evolution Salon in the Old Fourth Ward had a brick thrown through their glass, their computer tampered with and their money bag stolen. The damage cost the salon $1,000.

"I can't believe they have gone on this long without being caught," said manager Cassidy Burkhart.