The owner of a California bakery that was ransacked last week by a gang of more than 100 robbers is heartbroken for his family’s business and angry that no one has been punished as he lashed out at the state’s rising crime rate.
Ruben’s Bakery & Mexican Food in Compton was the target of a large-scale attack when robbers used a Kia to drive into the front of the store during an illegal street takeover on January 2.
Reuben Ramirez Jr. said, his parents opened their shop almost 50 years ago after immigrating to the country and it was very sad to see their work become a victim of crime.
“At first, like everyone else, we were angry and then we were sad,” Ramirez Jr. said. to Fox News. “The worst is seeing my parents who built something for over 48 years, almost lose it because of the violence that is going on now.”
“This street takeover in Compton is getting worse.”
The store, which survived the 1992 Rodney King riots and the COVID outbreak, never closes for more than a day, except for Christmas and New Years.
Reuben Ramirez Jr. said, his parents opened their shop almost 50 years ago after immigrating to the country and it was very sad to see their work become a victim of crime. FOX 11 Los Angeles/YouTube
Ramirez Jr., however, was forced to close for several days due to the extensive amount of damage sustained and items stolen.
The robbers caused at least $70,000 worth of damage from everything stolen during the mass robbery, including food, money, lottery tickets, and other store equipment, including cash registers and meat scales.
Ramirez Jr. also said a lot of food had to be thrown away because it might be contaminated or spoiled.
The illegal street takeover in Compton began about a mile away before the robbers made their way to the bakery. CBS Los Angeles The robbery began after a white Kia backed into the store’s front door, creating an entrance for the robbers to use to get inside. CBS Los Angeles
The bakery has also lost revenue as the first week of January is usually busy for them as they make special bread for Eid.
Ramirez Jr. said his family is not the only one in the neighborhood upset by illegal late-night gatherings that often result in violence and crime.
“My neighbors here tell me the same thing, they’re with us and they want this to stop, but I don’t know how you can stop it,” Ramirez Jr. said.
The store lost at least $70,000 due to the amount of stolen food, money, cash registers, meat scales, and lottery tickets, along with the damage sustained. NBC4 News Ramirez Jr. and his family looked at the security footage to see if they could identify any of the robbers, but most of them covered their faces. CBS Los Angeles
Ramirez Jr. hopes the intruders see justice, but is more focused on building his business back while continuing to serve the community and “and make everybody happy without food.”
Following the robbery, the store owners took security footage to find out who the offenders were who robbed their business but could not identify anyone as the majority of them were wearing masks and hijabs.
“It was heartbreaking to see,” Ramirez Jr. said. about the surveillance footage.
“We need a better policy for the community to help us. I would say sometimes these relaxed laws don’t help, and the people who suffer are the hard working people. I hate to say it but nobody gets punished for anything.”
The damage to the store was seen hours after the illegal gang ransacked the store and stole most of the merchandise inside. CBS Los Angeles A worker installs screws on a temporary wooden panel to the front entrance of a store, hours after a Kia was intentionally backed into the front of the store. CBS Los Angeles
Compton officials claim they are working to crack down on illegal street takeovers.
“The City of Compton is working closely with the Sheriff’s Department to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible,” Compton Mayor Emma Sharif said in a statement to The Post. “Ensuring the safety of businesses and residents in our city is our priority. No local business should have to endure such fear and destruction.”
“What happened this morning in District 2 is totally unacceptable. It’s very sad to see a local business attacked and destroyed,” said City of Compton Councilman Andre Spicer, who represents the area where the bakery is located.
“We need to support our local businesses and make sure criminals know we will not tolerate the destruction of our beloved local establishments, which are the backbone of our cities,” Spicer added.
The store partially reopened on January 5, after being closed for three days, as the owner continued to rebuild the business as it was before the robbery. CBS Los Angeles
The store partially reopened on January 5, with Ramirez Jr. told Fox 11 Los Angeles “it feels good to be back.”
Family friends set up a GoFundMe with a goal of $75,000 that will help the store fully reopen, with a portion of the profits shared with employees.
The crowdfunding project had raised more than $77,000 as of Sunday morning.
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