Family-owned Rancho Bernardo pizza shop may have been hit by sledgehammer burglary

SAN DIEGO, CA — A family-owned pizza restaurant in the community of Rancho Bernardo was targeted in a destructive break-in early Wednesday morning, with evidence suggesting the suspect utilized a sledgehammer to smash through the building's entrance.

The incident occurred in the early hours of December 18, 2024. The owners arrived at the shop to find the front glass door completely shattered and significant damage to the interior counter area. The burglar apparently focused on the cash register and office spaces, searching for valuables before fleeing the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Community members and patrons have expressed concern for the owners, who face both the cost of repairs and lost operating hours. The San Diego Police Department is currently investigating the burglary, reviewing security footage from the pizza shop and nearby businesses to identify the suspect and determine if this incident is connected to similar commercial break-ins in the area.