AUSTIN (KXAN) — T.J. Williams said he and his family have owned Habana Restaurant on South Congress for 25 years.
So when police called him in the middle of the night last week about a burglary — it hit hard.
“They got out with the safe with a substantial amount of cash in it,” Williams said. A still frame from the surveillance footage is below.
“This was our fourth break-in this calendar year, these were the only professional guys though,” Williams said. “These guys were definitely on a mission for a safe.”
Williams said investigators told him these might be the same suspects who recently hit an Amy’s Ice Cream and East Side Pies in northwest Austin. KXAN is still waiting for official confirmation from APD about any link between these cases.
Williams said he keeps enhancing security measures at Habana Restaurant after repeat burglaries.
“I’ve kind of had to build this place up like a fortress over the years. It seems to be getting worse and worse year to year,” he said. A full clip showing the thieves walk out with the safe is below.
“It’s hard enough with everything that’s going on to make it day by day. Trying to make it paycheck to paycheck,” Williams said. “I’m sure you’ve seen all the local businesses closing down. So anyone trying to target people trying to earn money the old fashioned away, hard work, and run a small business, I hope they get what’s coming to them.”
According to APD crime data, nearly 60 burglaries have happened within 1,000 feet of Habana Restaurant since 2020. There were also more than 120 reports of theft during that time span, and nearly 20 aggravated assaults.
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