Wave of burglaries hits Korean-owned businesses in Buena Park shopping mall

A series of burglaries has struck a major shopping mall in Buena Park, where most businesses are Korean-owned, leaving store owners increasingly concerned about the lack of response from the property management company.

In the past two weeks, multiple businesses—including clothing stores and restaurants—at Village Circle on Beach (VCB), located at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Malvern Avenue, have been targeted by thieves.

Many of the break-ins have occurred in the early morning hours, raising alarm among nearby business owners who say immediate security measures are needed. The area is a key commercial hub for the Korean community in northern Orange County.

One clothing store owner described a recent burglary at their shop. “Two weeks ago, thieves shattered the store’s front glass window and stole merchandise,” the owner said. “A similar incident happened just four months ago.”

According to business owners in the mall, the thieves, masked and working in groups of two to five, coordinate their break-ins by having one person enter the store while others stand outside as lookouts and transport stolen goods. Even when security alarms are triggered, the burglars flee within minutes, rendering the alarms ineffective.

Despite a similar burglary at the same store just months earlier, business owners say the mall’s management company has taken no additional security measures.

“When a large storefront window costing $2,000 to $3,000 is smashed, it’s a significant loss,” another store owner said. “Because of deductibles, filing an insurance claim is difficult. We’re also worried that making claims could lead to increased premiums or complications with future policy renewals.”

Restaurants in the mall have also been affected. On February 14, thieves broke windows at multiple eateries, including two Korean-owned restaurants and a fried chicken chain across the street.

One restaurant owner said, “Two masked men used a metal crowbar to break the glass and enter the store in the early morning hours. They walked around inside for about a minute before fleeing.” The owner added that this was not the first incident. “We were targeted twice last year as well. Since the repairs haven’t been completed yet, we still have temporary plywood covering the window.”

Another restaurant owner reported that their storefront window was shattered last week during heavy rain. In a separate incident, burglars attempted to break into a Korean grocery store in the mall by smashing a window but failed.

In total, at least six Korean-owned businesses in the shopping center have been hit in what appears to be a coordinated string of burglaries.

Despite mounting losses, business owners say the response from VCB’s property management has been inadequate. When asked about security measures, management said that “the exterior surveillance cameras are not operational.”

A worker from the property management company confirmed the lack of security measures. “The CCTV cameras outside the building and in the parking lot are not functioning,” the worker said. “Additionally, the mall does not have overnight security guards.”

Buena Park police have launched an investigation after receiving reports of the burglaries. Authorities have been reviewing evidence, noting that the crimes on February 14 took place amid heavy rainfall. Investigators are also examining why security alarms activated during the break-ins did not result in immediate action.

Buena Park Mayor Joyce Ahn acknowledged the ongoing threat of burglaries targeting both businesses and residential areas. “We will be working with the police department to discuss necessary actions,” she said. “I urge business owners to report incidents as soon as they occur so that investigations can proceed swiftly.”

BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]