CLE ELUM, Wash. — Multiple local businesses in Cle Elum were targeted in a series of overnight burglaries early last Thursday morning. Business owners described the spree of break-ins as a rare event for the town.
The burglaries targeted several downtown establishments within blocks of each other, resulting in stolen cash, wine, and a safe.
Authorities suspect the same individual or individuals may have also hit another business in a nearby community that same night.
At Beau’s Pizza & Pasta, a burglar smashed through the front glass door early Thursday morning to enter the restaurant.
Beau Bridgeman, owner of Beau’s Pizza & Pasta, noted that he has operated his restaurant for 19 years without ever experiencing a break-in.
“Definitely feel violated, you know,” Bridgeman said.
He reported that the intruder stole a couple hundred dollars in loose tip change.
“He pulled this out, he took everything there was like loose change,” Bridgeman said.
The burglar then accessed a back office at the restaurant, damaging property, and stealing a small safe. Bridgeman estimated the safe contained between $2,500 and $3,000 in cash.
“He ripped that little safe out here, which, I don’t know, I think like $2,500 to $3,000 in there, so that’s gone, which is a bummer,” Bridgeman said.
Across the street from Beau’s, Miners Pizza & Pastry Co. experienced an attempted break-in shortly after the restaurant was hit. Ashley Evans, manager of Miners Pizza & Pastry Co., reviewed security video that showed someone attempting to break through the front door glass.
“He walked by our windows, and then he backed up to the door, and he hit the door with something three times,” Evans said. “I don’t really know what it was, but it took divots out of the glass.”
The next block over, thieves broke into Upsidedown Wine, taking money and alcohol. Taya Krause, manager of Upsidedown Wine, reported that cash and several bottles were taken.
“Just took our like till that we had and just a few bottles, but could have been worse. We are blessed that he didn’t damage anything else, but it’s very scary,” Krause said.
Investigators suspect the burglar continued up the road to target Red Mountain Coffee on Snoqualmie Pass.
The owner of the coffee shop reported that the burglar stole cash, but left a hammer behind at the scene, which may provide evidence for police.
Security video from the coffee shop showed a suspect wearing a graphic hoodie similar to the clothing captured on video during the Cle Elum break-ins. Local business owners are sharing surveillance video online to assist authorities.
“Our community is one that really kind of sticks together, and we really try and help each other out, so we’re posting video footage… hopefully help figure out who it was, but see what happens,” Evans said.
Police told Bridgeman they are actively following up on strong leads in the investigation.