VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WBRC) – Many businesses in Vestavia Hills have made changes after thieves broke in overnight.

Some restaurants along Montgomery Highway closed their doors Thursday, while others had to make repairs.

“They broke that little window over there,” said Kevin Sarabia, assistant manager of Sol Azteca Mexican Restaurant. “They entered the restaurant. I don’t think they had time to think about what to do because the alarm went off.”

Sarabia was relieved the thieves didn’t have enough time to get the money, but said it was a very close call.

He said the criminals broke in around 1 a.m. Thursday morning and his family was almost there.

“My father was here until midnight, an hour before they went in,” Sarabia said. “It’s scary to know that someone was spying on him or us or showed up right before my dad left.”

Although people were still able to enter Sol Azteca on Thursday, some businesses were not so lucky.

Kool Korner Sandwiches, located in the same shopping center, was closed.

The Cuban restaurant that shared this was also targeted.

Sarabia added that multiple businesses were hit and the Vestavia Hills Police Department opened an investigation.

“They were scanning fingerprints, taking all kinds of photos of the restaurant to get as much evidence as possible.”

While we wait for answers, Sarabia had a message for the criminals who do this.

“To repent,” he said. “The season of the Lord’s birth is approaching, isn’t it, Christmas, so I hope they too can find forgiveness first from the Lord and then from society, and justice is their due too.”

If someone sees anything suspicious or has information that could help the family-owned restaurant, management urges that person to report it to the police.

The Vestavia Hills Police Department can be contacted at 205-823-1153.

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