SAN FRANCISCO—Shaw’s Candy Store located in the West Portal neighborhood was burglarized on Friday, March 3, at around 5:00 a.m.
The suspect entered by breaking the glass of the front door which triggered the business’s alarm system. According to surveillance video, the suspect appeared undeterred by the alarms and made his way through the shop. He got away with $600 and a cash box.
That day the business posted on social media, “We were robbed. They took cash. Now we will be one of the many boarded up storefronts in the city, when will it stop?”
Diana Zogaric, who is the owner of the shop and a single mother of three kids, spoke with The San Francisco News in an interview.
When asked if this was the first time her business was ever burglarized Zogaric stated, “yes, first time. I think, sadly, it was just our turn. So many businesses in the area have boarded up doors from similar incidents that I was not surprised when it happened to me. Although, I naively thought maybe I was safer since it’s a candy store and didn’t think anyone would actually steal from a candy store.” She explained that she opened the business about two years ago, remodeled and opened during covid.
Zogaric informed The San Francisco News that these crimes have been occurring all on West Portal Avenue. Goat Hill Pizza, Bookstore West Portal, Unwined and Mozzarella di Bufala all had similar incidents. A few months ago Siren and the pet store on that street were also burglarized.
When asked why she believes the suspect seemed unaffected by the alarm system in her shop she explained, “In my opinion, it’s a combination of a few things. The street is quiet, he seemed to take his time looking both ways before he broke the glass, then again when he was leaving. It’s shocking that the alarm didn’t deter him but he was fast. I can see that he likely wasn’t concerned about the cameras because he was wearing a big-brimmed hat and long coat so it’s hard to identify him. Bigger picture- I think a lack of police presence on the street and little to no fear of accountability for crime in SF makes criminals like this very bold.”
For the past few years multiple business owners have been demanding that the city take action to protect small businesses against smash-and-grab burglaries. So far the city has a $2,000 relief fund for businesses who have been victimized by these types of crimes. “The mayor has added ambassadors- retired police officers- to walk the streets. But they’re not there when the crime and graffiti are happening overnight,” added Zogaric.
The suspect has been described as a White male, thin, and approximately between 40 to 50 years of age.
If you have any information regarding this case please contact the SFPD at (415) 553-0123.
