RESTAURANT HIT BY THIEVES AGAIN
Owners ask ‘why us?’ after third attack:
BURGLARS have targeted an Indian restaurant for the third time in two-and-a-half years.
During the latest raid on the Sopna tandoori restaurant, on the outskirts of Caernarfon, thieves made off with cash from the till and a charity box.
The break-in happened some time between midnight on Sunday night and 6am on Monday morning, last week, when the burglars got in through a front window.
Shajanur Raja, owner of the award-winning restaurant, said more than £100 was in the till ,with around £200 in the charity box.
He said: “They have broken a window by the toilet side to get in.
“They have forced open the till and taken money. “Police have been and taken fingerprints.” According to Mr Raja, the thieves also took out another window’s double glazing.
Mr Raja said: “We have been, for a long time, collecting for people in the Bangladesh floods.
“The burglars broke into the store room I don’t know why this has happened. “I will need to buy a new door. “This is the third time. I am really fed up now.” During the burglary, the thieves also broke a window in Mr Roberts’ car.
The restaurant was first targeted in March 2015, when a gang of three men assaulted Mr Raja and his handyman, Anthony Roberts, at the restaurant. Both had hospital treatment. Mr Roberts, who was left with a broken nose, chipped teeth and a black eye, had surgery.
Two months later, thieves squeezed in through a small toilet window at the back of the building before stealing a staff tips box and hundreds of pounds worth of alcohol.
In 2007, Sopna was voted Welsh Curry House of the Year, and were North Wales Winners in 2010.
Mr Raja also runs the Lifestyle Express shop on Pool Street, Caernarfon.
Inspector Owain Llewellyn at Bangor Police Station said: “We’d like to hear from anyone who was in the area overnight and witnessed any suspicious behaviour.
“I’m also asking local businesses and communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. “It is also worth reminding the community to ensure their property is always locked and secured or kept out of sight.” Anyone with information is asked to contact North Wales Police control room direct via web live chat or phone 101 anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote V131993
‘They’ve taken all the money from till and charity cash... we don’t know why this keeps happening to us’