By Ruth Bayang
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Surveillance image of burglar
Someone in a mask broke into Dim Sum King late on April 28 and stole a substantial amount in cash.
Owner Amy Eng said other restaurants on Jackson Street have also been robbed and she worried that she might be next. Eng also said that many other business owners don’t report such crimes and she urged that they start doing so.
Eng told the Northwest Asian Weekly that the burglar broke in through the business’ side door at around 11 p.m. and spent four hours inside the store on 617 South Jackson Street.
She discovered the theft the following morning.
The burglar — dressed in a burgundy hoodie and a black ski mask — had all kinds of tools and managed to break into a money drawer. The burglar took all the cash collected over Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, and Eng had not deposited the money at the bank yet.
Albert Chun, branch manager of Washington Federal Bank, said most banks have a night drop program. It’s a locked bag which merchants can deposit into the bank, and they will get their receipts through email or from the bank later. It costs $20 a year. You can provide your own locked bag or the bank can give you a recycled bag.
“Restaurant owners can deposit their cash in the bank’s night drop after bank hours, instead of keeping all the cash in the restaurant.” Chung said. “Credit cards are better than cash,” he added.
In addition to the stolen money, it will cost $350 to replace the broken glass door where the burglar got in.
Eng did not have an alarm system installed. (**Edited on May 7, 2019. We originally reported the building’s landlord does not allow alarm systems, which is incorrect.)
Eng has insurance and has already filed a claim, but she said the compensation is capped at only $10,000.
Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.