Police investigating more reports of burglars trying to crash into Rochester businesses

Rochester, N.Y. — Police are investigating two more incidents involving vehicles crashing into businesses, apparently in order for the suspects to carry out burglaries.

Officers responded to Petit Poutinerie on Elton Street around 5 a.m. Friday for a reported alarm activation. They said it appeared a vehicle drove into the building and items were stolen from inside.

Shortly after that call, officers responded to Heroes Brewing on Atlantic Avenue for a report of a crash. Police said a vehicle drove into the front doors and caused damage, but an employee scared off the would-be burglars.

Surveillance video shared with 13WHAM showed an SUV pulling up and ramming into the doors before driving away.

Friday's incidents happened three days after similar break-ins at Comedy @ the Carlson and Record Archive. Police said there have been 15 cases like this across Monroe County.

After hearing Comedy @ the Carlson was broken into Tuesday, Greg Fagen, co-owner of Heroes, said he figured it was only a matter of time before his business was hit as well.

"Literally two days ago we said, 'We’re on that list,'" he said. "And then three days later, we were hit."

An employee was working around 4:40 a.m. when he heard a loud bang.

"I heard another loud thud, glass breaking, metal clanking," said Christian Wolf, head brewer in charge. "And I thought, 'Oh, someone is trying to break in.'"

"As soon as I approached the door, they pulled off and just left."

Down the street, another business owner spent Friday morning cleaning up glass after a similar incident.

Ronnie, co-owner of Petit Poutinerie, said the break was unfortunate but not unexpected.

"Six months ago, two businesses behind us got hit," she said. "And our trucks have been broken into three times this summer."

Mayor Malik Evans said law enforcement is on the suspects' trail and working to bring them to justice.

"A small business owner does not have the dollars to be putting money into replacing plate glass doors that they work so hard to build because somebody wants to go out and be selfish to meet their needs," he said.

It's unclear whether the same suspects are involved in each of the incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 423-9300.