A string of overnight restaurant break-ins is creeping closer to Vienna, and Fairfax County police want the public's help catching whoever is responsible.
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said in an Oct. 20 press release that detectives have connected nine incidents at restaurants across the county since July. The most recent were at Seven Corners Center on Sept. 9 and Bailey's Crossroads on Oct. 8, both a few miles from town. None of the nine have occurred in Vienna.
The break-ins target mostly chain restaurants overnight. Surveillance footage shows suspects using rocks or cinderblocks to smash glass entry doors, then grabbing cash drawers and safes before fleeing in a vehicle, according to the FCPD.
The series began July 13 at a Taco Bamba in Springfield, where employees arriving for work found the front door damaged and the cash register stolen. On Aug. 29, suspects targeted three restaurants in Lincolnia's Plaza at Landmark shopping center. The FCPD classified one of those, a Chipotle, as an attempted burglary. Two America's Best Wings locations along Richmond Highway in Lorton and Groveton were burglarized Sept. 8. Flame Japanese Hibachi and KPOT Korean BBQ at Seven Corners Center were hit the following night.
The Oct. 8 incident at Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood and Bar in Bailey's Crossroads was captured on security camera. According to FFXnow, the footage shows a white SUV backing into a parking space in front of the restaurant. Three figures in hooded sweatshirts and face masks got out, broke the glass door with a cinderblock, and carried out a box.
The entire break-in lasted under two minutes.
"Once inside, the suspects stole cash drawers and safes before fleeing in a vehicle," the FCPD said.
Vienna has dealt with similar crimes before. In March, the Vienna Police Department said on X that Detective Brad Reedy and town detectives identified a suspect in a series of overnight burglaries along Maple Avenue. That suspect was charged with four counts of burglary and destruction of property after being located through license plate reader technology and regional coordination. The FCPD has not said whether the current suspects have any connection to that earlier case.
Anyone with information about the county burglary series can call the FCPD Criminal Investigation Division at 703-256-8035. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Solvers of Fairfax County at crimesolversfairfax.org or by calling 866-411-8477.
