Small business owners in the Santa Clarita Valley are banding together in hopes of ending a spate of break-ins affecting their area.
Anintita Kringlao is the owner of Life Thai Fusion in Santa Clarita and does everything from washing dishes to working at the restaurant's front desk.
She says this lifestyle can be tiring, but rewarding.
“That's my life,” Klinklao said. “I enjoy it. … Sometimes it's seriously work. But sometimes it's not work. I just have fun.”
She has lived on Soledad Canyon Road for 13 years, but her life has become even more in jeopardy recently after a series of break-ins at her beloved business.
She was the victim of the attack early in the new year, and showed KCAL News video of the moment someone smashed the restaurant's front door and caused damage to the inside.
Klinklao says he doesn't leave money at his restaurant overnight, so he doesn't have much to lose.
“I pay very high taxes,” she said. “I pay the bills. I just need support.”
This is the fifth time she has had to clean up after being hit, and the second time last year.
She has a message for those who continue to target businesses in the area and are doing everything they can to survive.
“For those of you who are trying to do something, please know this: We work hard. We do everything we can. And you just throw stones at us. And that’s it,” Klinklawo said. “You break our hearts. Every time you break in, I have to pay insurance. I've had five break-ins in four years. Is that fair to me? No, it's not.”
Her sentiments are echoed by the Al-Rabai family, who own and operate Seco Mini Market, just minutes from Life Thai Fusion.
“This is my home,” said Deyar al-Rabai, who works at the mart with his family. “This is my favorite place and it’s where everything happens.”
They have owned the store for the past 10 years and have put in their sweat and tears to make the business thrive.
“My mother works here, my father works here, my two sisters work here,” Al-Rabai said. “We all come to work and do what we’re supposed to do.”
But they, too, are victims of rampant intrusions while monitoring them en masse. Robbers ransacked the store Tens of thousands of dollars in damage and product theft were left in early January.
“My family and I work hard for what we have. We work 16 to 18 hours a day. People come in and destroy buildings and take things that don't belong to us. It's very heartbreaking,” Al-Rabai said. He said.
The Santa Clarita Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made so far.
Both Al-Rabai and Klinklao hope they can go to trial soon and get back to work without having to look over their shoulder.
“If you want something, like a job or food, you don't have to steal or take space. It's not worth it,” Al-Rabai said.
“We have food. They are welcome to cook. I will teach them,” Klinglao said. “But please knock on my door. Tell me to unlock it. Don't do that. Don't let people break it down.”
