Smash-and-grab crew wreck kosher Southern California pizza shop, pharmacy

Store surveillance cameras captured a trio of hooded burglars violently destroying property while ransacking a pizza shop and pharmacy in Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson neighborhood early Tuesday morning.  

The break-ins unfolded at around 4:30 a.m. at Pizza Mark and a neighboring pharmacy in the 1700 block of South Robertson Boulevard.  

Security footage at the pizza shop shows the masked thieves shattering the front door of the restaurant and immediately heading for the register. Instead of simply turning the keys, which were dangling from the cash drawer’s lock, one of the crooks repeatedly smashed the register on the ground.  

Unsatisfied with the register, the burglary crew, who can be seen running in and out of the shop several times, also stole the pizza shop’s safe before moving to the pharmacy next door and causing even more mayhem and damage.  

The owner of Robertson’s Specialty Pharmacy did not want to speak on camera but told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe he keeps narcotics and harder drugs locked up, and while thieves are unable to get anything of street value, they continue to try.  

Both shop owners are out thousands of dollars in cash and damages.  

Mark Douek, who opened his pizza shop six years ago to offer kosher cuisine to the predominantly Jewish neighborhood, said he hasn’t had any problems like this until now.  

“They hit the pharmacy every six months, looking for drugs and stuff like that,” he explained. “Bob, the pharmacy guy, he called me in the morning, at 7 a.m., to alarm me about this break-in. It’s just sad that they have nothing to do but go smash, break and prey on other people instead of going to work and making a good living.”  

Douek added that he’s grateful no innocent person was hurt during the ordeal.  

“It’s a financial loss for me but I can live with it as long as no one got hurt,” he said. “I hope they will get caught so they can learn a lesson.”  

While the L.A. Police Department said it’s investigating the burglaries, Douek said he’s working with his insurance company to see what kind of coverage he has to repair damages caused by the crooks.  

Anyone who may recognize the three suspects in the surveillance video is urged to contact LAPD.