A popular West Hollywood restaurant is recovering after an early-morning burglary led to thousands of dollars in losses and extensive damage.
The owner of Lala’s Argentine Grill on Melrose Avenue said the break-in happened about 6:15 a.m. Saturday – just hours after staff closed the restaurant for the night.
“We were closing last night around 1 a.m.,” said owner Horacio Weschler. “At 6:15, we had a gentleman that broke in, broke the lock in the door, went straight to the register and took all the cash. He knew exactly what he was doing.”
Security footage shows the suspect breaking a glass patio door, putting on gloves, and using a tool to smash into the restaurant. Weschler said the entire burglary lasted less than a minute, but the thief escaped with nearly $3,000 in cash.
“The damage is much bigger than that,” Weschler said. “We had to put plywood up to cover the door and will have to replace the glass next week. It feels like we’re working for nothing.”
Lala’s has faced a turbulent few years. The restaurant was closed for two years due to a fire, then struggled to rebuild business after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since reopening eight months ago, Weschler said they’ve been focused on restoring the restaurant’s reputation and bringing regulars back.
“This is just another hit on the head,” he said. “But the good thing is we’re still open, and the neighborhood is very supportive. Our regulars have been coming in to give us a hand.”
LAPD responded to the burglary scene and took a report. Weschler said officers are reviewing the surveillance footage and searching for a suspect.
“I hope they find him,” Weschler said. “And I hope he doesn’t do this to someone else.”
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