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In west Houston, a small locally-owned business fell victim to robbery just hours after its grand opening, as reported by the Houston Police Department.
The owners of Shawarma Land, located at 8571 Westheimer, revealed to on Wednesday that the thief caused damage to their property and fled with the cash register containing over $1,000 in cash.
Owner Mohammad Assaad expressed his dismay, stating, “I was saving every penny for this restaurant, and someone just – he did damage my property. It was sad.”
The perpetrator forcefully entered the premises, extracting the cash register before making his escape through the rear exit.
Assaad, although aware of the area’s susceptibility to such incidents, was shocked upon discovering the aftermath the following day.
“The next-door neighbor, she said everyone here got broken in, but not the first day (of opening),” Assaad remarked.
According to the ABC13 Neighborhood Safety Tracker, Shawarma Land’s location falls within a crime hotspot. Over the past year, Houston Police responded to 322 burglaries in the vicinity, which includes Rosewood General Hospital, Woodlake, and Briarmeadow, ranking it tied with the NRG Park area for the highest number in the city.
While disheartened by the break-in, Assaad remains resilient. He selected the bustling area for his business due to its diverse customer base and high foot traffic.
Despite the setback, Assaad is determined to persevere. Opening the restaurant was a dream years in the making, marked by countless hours spent renovating and perfecting shawarma recipes.
“Just want to keep continuing, even if I have problems in the way,” Assaad affirmed.
Houston police are actively investigating the burglary, although no arrests have been made thus far.