Lovers Deli in Downtown Merced targeted again by copper wire thieves

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- A downtown Merced concern is recovering aft copper ligament thieves struck for the 2nd clip this year.

Lover's Deli was closed Monday, arsenic usual, but alternatively of resting, the owners were repairing harm from a play theft. Police accidental the thieves climbed onto the extortion aboriginal Saturday and stole copper wiring, causing astir $6,000 successful damage.

"They're ever packed, truthful to spot them person to adjacent their doors for thing similar this is really, truly sad," said Det. Megan Aponte of the Merced Police Department.

Investigators are reviewing metropolis and concern information cameras and checking section recycling centers.

"We are checking with the section recycling businesses due to the fact that by instrumentality they bash person to supply identification, oregon inquire for recognition to beryllium presented earlier they tin judge it," said Aponte.

As constabulary investigated, those who enactment downtown said these kinds of crimes are a stroke to the area.

"It's getting old, it's getting old," said Aron Scott, Luxe Republic Salon. "It affects america each and we're trying to marque Merced better, ya know?"

"To spot idiosyncratic interruption a window, bargain wiring, harm property, you know, commencement a fire," said Dandel Real, Merced Commercial Real Estate Broker. "That could beryllium devastating to a concern owner."

Dandel Real is simply a commercialized existent property broker successful the area. He's seen thefts astir forestall businesses from opening downtown.

"Uno Mas Taproom is coming in, but virtually the time earlier we closed escrow, idiosyncratic stole a batch of the wiring and electrical from the panel, and it astir got successful the mode of the woody happening," said Real.

Police accidental Lover's Deli was besides targeted successful May. The owners weren't disposable for an interrogation but said they anticipation to reopen connected Wednesday oregon Thursday aft moving with electricians to reconstruct power.

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