Officials investigate store, safe break-ins at Taco Bell, Subway
Aiken Public Safety detectives have pulled surveillance video from two Richland Avenue restaurants where a suspect broke into the businesses and stole money from the safes, officials said.
The break-ins occurred early Thursday at Taco Bell at 1556 Richland Ave. and Subway at 1675 Richland Ave.
The suspect who broke into the Taco Bell took an undisclosed amount of money from the safe, using a saw to remove the heavy metal door from the metal safe, according to police reports.
The suspect entered the business by shattering a side door.
Inside, police found an interior office in disarray and could see metal particles on the floor from where the safe had been cut open. The officers said they could still smell the odor of burning metal.
The safe had been cut open from the hinge side.
The video shows the suspect, dressed in a brown jacket, jeans, white shoes, black gloves and a black mask enter the restaurant at 3:23 a.m. and continue to enter and exit the business a number of times until 4:51 a.m.
Investigators have also learned that a nearby Subway was also broken into early Thursday.
An employee entered the sandwich shop at 6:30 a.m. and realized the business had been burglarized overnight.
The employee locked herself in the office and called Public Safety.
Police found the suspect entered through a back door and removed the safe from an interior office.
The suspect was able to get into the safe and took an undisclosed amount of money.
Aiken Public Safety Capt. Ray Scott said investigators are working with agencies throughout the two-state area to determine if there have been any similar incidents elsewhere.
The break-ins are believed to be related.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Aiken Public Safety at 642-7620.
Individuals should also call CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.
Karen Daily, a graduate of USC, has been the crime reporter at the Aiken Standard for seven years. She has reported there since 2001.
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