Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Shops and businesses near the intersection of West Magnolia Blvd. and North Lima Street Burbank March 5, 2016
Another series of break-ins, attempted break-ins, and burglaries has some merchants in Burbank concerned as they beef up security. Last month, similar crimes occurred at several Downtown Burbank eateries. Last Thursday, the Oasis Nail & Spa 3317 West Magnolia Boulevard was burglarized. It’s one of at least three businesses near the intersection of West Magnolia Boulevard and North Lima Street that has had some kind of intrusion crime occur in the past few months.
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Oasis Nail Spa 3317 Magnolia Blvd. Burbank March 5, 2016
On March 3, Burbank Police responded to a business alarm at Oasis at around 6 :15 a.m. and discovered “… a broken window and open rear door when they arrived,” according to Burbank Police spokesman, Sergeant Claudio Losacco. The suspect, who is caught on security video, reportedly got away with around $200 in cash. However, Manager, Irene Doan, told me the damage to their property is going to cost them even more to fix.
Doan says this is the second burglary in less than two years. The first occurred on Thanksgiving Day 2014; at least $300 in cash was taken along with an ipad. Doan says, there have been three other attempted break-ins as well. Right now, they’re in the process of ratcheting up the security at Oasis. Also, she would like to see “more (police) patrols in the area.”
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — The Crystal Shrine 1006-1008 North Lima Street Burbank March 5, 2016
Around the corner at 1006-1008 North Lima Street at The Crystal Shrine, a burglary three months ago still has the owners a little nervous and on edge. They did not want their names used, but did talk with Media City Groove about the crime and at least one previous attempt to break-in. On December 2, Sgt. Losacco says officers responded to a “business alarm activation” at the location at around 1 a.m. The suspect got away with only a computer tablet, but the shop owners say, his image was caught on their security video. They believe the same suspect broke into their place “made it to the bathroom” before he got spooked and left. They have turned their video over to police detectives.
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Best of Times Antiques 3401 West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank March 5, 2016
Also last December, there was an attempted break-in at Best of Times Antiques at 3401 West Magnolia Boulevard. The owner, Laree Adel, says the thief caused several hundreds of dollars of property damage to a window, bench, and other items in the area where he tried to get into the shop. In the past, Adel says her shop has been the victim of a “huge burglary” with financial loss and the target of attempted burglaries. In addition to more police patrols at night and early in the mornings, Adel would like to see more of the local merchants take on a neighborhood watch kind of attitude. She says these crimes are “not a personal matters,” but reflect on the security of this section of Magnolia Park.
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Mindfulnest 3319 West Magnolia Blvd, Burbank March 5, 2016
Amanda Vernon owns Mindfulnest at 3319 West Magnolia Boulevard next to Oasis. Vernon has been lucky, no burglaries or attempted break-ins. She has tight security and is aware of what is happening around her. Mindfulnest has been in Magnolia Park for the past 7 years. Vernon has noticed a lot of growth and changes. She points to “Ladies & Gents Night Out” as a major plus. Frequently, she says “we make our rent that night.” However, along with the new popularity of the area, she says “with the good, comes the bad.” Then Vernon quickly adds, the “positives outweigh” the negatives in Magnolia Park.
