Spree of Break-ins Hits Six Latino-Owned Businesses at Pike Plaza in West Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — A series of coordinated early-morning burglaries has left several immigrant and Latino business owners in west Indianapolis devastated and demanding better security for their community shopping complexes.

The incidents occurred around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Pike Plaza shopping center, located on Lafayette Road. According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), at least six businesses were burglarized in quick succession by suspects who broke glass windows and doors to gain entry.

Among the businesses hit were Dulceria El Caramelo, Mi Mexico, International Restaurant, Zona Soccer, and Moda y Mas. Owners arriving for their weekend shifts were greeted by shattered storefronts, disarrayed merchandise, and empty cash registers. While the total amount of stolen cash is still being calculated, the physical damage to the storefronts represents a significant financial blow to the independent business owners.

“We work hard every single day to support our families, and to see our hard work shattered in a single night is heartbreaking,” said one of the affected business owners. Several owners expressed frustration over the plaza's security management, pointing out that while they pay monthly fees for security services, the plaza remains vulnerable during late-night and early-morning hours.

IMPD is actively investigating the break-ins and looking for connections between the storefronts targeted. Detectives are reviewing security footage from the plaza and asking anyone who might have seen suspicious vehicles or individuals in the Pike Plaza area between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Saturday to contact police.