A brazen early-morning burglary at a popular Oak Cliff taqueria was caught on surveillance video Wednesday, showing a suspect repeatedly hurling a concrete block at a window before finally breaking through and stealing cash from the register.
The incident occurred at Donde Los Tacos on West Davis Street. Footage shows the suspect making multiple failed attempts to shatter the glass, pausing to sit outside the business between tries before ultimately gaining entry on a later attempt.
Employees arriving around 8 a.m. discovered the restaurant in disarray. A cash register had been moved, equipment was damaged and approximately $100 in cash was taken.
Owner Jennifer Reyes said she was stunned after reviewing the surveillance footage. She described the break-in as both frustrating and heartbreaking, noting that she and her husband spent years saving to open the business.
The burglary is not an isolated incident in the area. Business owners in the Bishop Arts District and surrounding Oak Cliff neighborhoods say multiple establishments have been targeted in recent weeks, raising serious concerns about the safety of the commercial corridor.
A nearby bookstore called Whose Books reported that someone stole items from a vehicle used for community events just last week. A hardware store in the same area has reportedly been hit by burglars multiple times since August.
Reyes confirmed that her own restaurant has been burglarized before and that neighboring businesses have also reported recent thefts. She said she is now considering collaborating with other local business owners to explore stronger security measures for the area.
The office of Dallas City Council member Chad West has acknowledged the growing problem and is encouraging affected business owners to make contact so potential solutions can be discussed.