Five Guys in Ballard Burglarized, Causing Thousands in Damages

SEATTLE, WA — A group of burglars targeted a Five Guys restaurant in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood early Tuesday morning, causing extensive damage to the storefront but leaving without any stolen cash or goods.

The incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. on April 28, 2026, at the Five Guys location situated at the intersection of Northwest Market Street and 15th Avenue Northwest. Witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored SUV pull up near the restaurant. While one suspect remained behind the wheel as a getaway driver, three other individuals exited the vehicle and aggressively kicked in the front entry door.

Empty Registers and Broken Glass

After forcing entry, the suspects ransacked the front counter area, checking the cash registers. However, they found the registers open and empty, a standard safety practice implemented by the restaurant overnight. Realizing there was no cash to steal, the suspects quickly returned to the SUV and fled the scene.

The general manager of the Ballard Five Guys estimated that the break-in caused between $2,500 and $5,000 in physical damage, primarily to the glass doors and frame structure. "It is frustrating to deal with this level of property damage, especially when they got away with nothing," the manager remarked.

Investigation into Ballard Burglary Wave

Seattle police arrived shortly after the suspects fled. This break-in took place just 45 minutes before a burglary at the nearby Ballard Coffee Co. While investigators note the similarities in suspect vehicles and entry methods, they have not yet officially confirmed if the two incidents are linked. No arrests have been made, and the police department is appealing to the public for any dashcam or security footage from the area.