Popular Bascom Avenue hangout hit again

Daniel Ramirez said two burglars smashed their way into Burbanks Bites and Billiards on Bascom Avenue in San Jose at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, taking cash from the safe and leaving what he described as major damage behind. Video shared by the business owner showed the pair breaking into the bar and grill, according to NBC Bay Area. Ramirez, a co-owner, said the losses from stolen cash and repairs total about $10,000. NBC Bay Area reported the business has now been hit six times in the two years it has been open. ### Which business was hit, and when did it happen? Burbanks Bites and Billiards, a bar and grill on Bascom Avenue, was burglarized early Sunday morning, Ramirez told NBC Bay Area. He said the break-in happened at about 6:30 a.m. and involved two people who smashed their way inside. Sunday’s burglary was the latest in a string of break-ins at the business, Ramirez said. (nbcbayarea.com) He told NBC Bay Area this was the sixth time the location had been targeted in the two years since it opened. ### How much was taken, and what damage did the owners report? Ramirez said the burglars got into the safe this time, unlike earlier incidents in which thieves stole bottles of liquor. (nbcbayarea.com) He told NBC Bay Area that, counting the stolen money and the property damage, the business is facing about $10,000 in losses. “$10,000” was the figure Ramirez gave as he described the hit to the business. (nbcbayarea.com) He said the cash in the safe was meant to pay workers and vendors, and that he had to cover some of those costs out of pocket. ### Are nearby businesses seeing the same thing? Businesses near Bascom Avenue told NBC Bay Area they have also dealt with break-ins. (nbcbayarea.com) The taco shop next door said it had been hit a few times over the last couple of years, according to the station’s report. NBC Bay Area has also reported other South Bay bar owners describing similar crimes. (nbcbayarea.com) In September 2024, owners of multiple bars said they believed the same suspects were behind a series of break-ins, after businesses in San Jose reported stolen cash, ripped-open doors and damaged equipment. San Jose police said at the time they were investigating but would not say whether the cases were connected. ### What are the owners doing now? Ramirez said he filed a police report after Sunday’s break-in. He also told NBC Bay Area he has installed extra cameras and is considering interior security gates to make the business a harder target. The added precautions follow repeated losses at the location. Ramirez told NBC Bay Area that seeing the damage was painful because the money taken was tied to day-to-day operations, including payments to employees and vendors. (nbcbayarea.com) ### What have police and city officials said? NBC Bay Area said it contacted the San Jose Police Department but had not received a response by the time the story was published. (nbcbayarea.com) That left no immediate public account from investigators about suspects, arrests or whether the burglary may be tied to other commercial break-ins in the area. Michael Mulcahy, the San Jose City Council member for District 6, said in a statement cited by NBC Bay Area that his office would work to make sure the incident and the area “receives the attention they deserve.” The City of San José lists Mulcahy as the District 6 councilmember. ### How has the community responded? A customer identified by NBC Bay Area as Daniel said Burbanks Bites and Billiards is one of his favorite places to visit and praised the business for the environment it creates. (nbcbayarea.com) Ramirez said community members had begun showing support after hearing about the burglary. Sunday’s break-in leaves the owners balancing repairs, payroll and new security measures. (nbcbayarea.com) Ramirez said he has already added cameras, and Mulcahy said his office would press for attention to the incident as the police report moves forward.