LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — La Esquinita Mexican Grill The store in Long Beach has been open for three years.

Owner Erik Vazquez has worked in restaurants for years and always wanted to open his own restaurant.

“The first few years were difficult, but over time we managed to gain customers,” he said.

But running a business was not easy at all.

“It’s been hard because everything that’s happened to us… the vandalism, the thefts,” Vazquez said.

Last month, a security camera captured a masked suspect swinging a crowbar at the restaurant’s front door and trying to get in.

“I think they are professional thieves,” Vazquez told Eyewitness News. “They have special vehicles and they get involved really quickly.”

This isn’t the first or even the second time suspects have tried to break into La Esquinita. It happened six times.

“They couldn’t get in, but they caused damage. In other break-ins, they managed to get in twice. But they didn’t steal anything,” Vazquez said.

While the Long Beach Police Department is working to track down the suspects, Vazquez said the break-ins are disheartening.

“I have to change the locks and doors, they damaged the windows, which is a big cost,” he said.

There is a sign inside the restaurant informing people that there is no cash inside.

“I hope they realize there is nothing to look for here,” Vazquez said, adding that he will not let fear stop him from business life.

“This is my dream come true and I will not give up on my dreams because of what happened,” he said.

Despite these interruptions, Vazquez plans to continue welcoming guests old and new to La Esquinita. He hopes Long Beach police will add extra patrols to the area to prevent any trespassing in the future.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.