Police investigate two business break-ins in Vega Baja
Two separate commercial burglaries were reported in different sectors of Vega Baja on the same morning, with thieves taking cash, coins, cigarettes and damaging security equipment.
File photoThe short version
- Primera Hora reported that two break-ins occurred early Monday in businesses at the intersection of PR-155 and PR-670 in barrio Algarrobo, Vega Baja
- According to Primera Hora, at Cafetería Tito thieves broke a padlock and metal door, stole about $300 in two-dollar bills and coins, and damaged a kitchen door and DVR system
- Primera Hora stated that at the adjacent Pajuil en la Cuarta business, thieves took $3,005.10 in horse-betting proceeds, slot-machine money and register cash, plus the DVR and damaged an empty safe
- Metro Puerto Rico reported a separate pair of morning break-ins in sector Bartolo Joy of barrio Pugnado Adentro, Vega Baja, involving forced windows, stolen cash, cigarettes, rolling papers, lighters and eight damaged slot machines
Separate incidents reported
Two business burglaries in Vega Baja were under investigation by police on Monday. Primera Hora reported that the incidents took place during the early morning hours at two adjacent commercial establishments located at the intersection of highways PR-155 and PR-670 in barrio Algarrobo.
According to the preliminary information provided to Primera Hora, at Cafetería Tito the offenders broke a padlock and forced open a rear metal door. They took approximately $300 in two-dollar bills and a coin collection, damaged a kitchen door and the DVR of the security cameras. They then forced the metal door of the neighboring Pajuil en la Cuarta business, removing $1,426.10 from horse-betting sales, $1,279 from slot machines and $300 from the cash register for a total of $3,005.10. They also took that business's DVR and damaged an empty safe. Both cases were referred to the Criminal Investigation Corps (CIC) of Vega Baja.
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Different sector, different details
Separately, Metro Puerto Rico reported two break-ins that occurred the same morning in sector Bartolo Joy of barrio Pugnado Adentro, Vega Baja. The first was reported at 8:45 a.m. at La Casita del Negro, where a wooden window on the right side was forced open and $320 in cash was taken.
Metro Puerto Rico said a second business in the same sector was burglarized at 8:43 a.m. through a rear window. The thieves removed cartons of cigarettes (Newport, Pall Mall and Winston brands), rolling papers, lighters and cash. Eight slot machines were opened; the amount taken from them was unknown at the time of the report. Technical Services Division personnel collected photographs and fingerprints, and the Property Division of the Vega Baja CIC continues the investigation. Authorities asked anyone with information to call 787-343-2020 or contact @PRPDNoticias on X.
Where the sources differ
The two news outlets describe entirely different pairs of burglaries occurring on the same morning in Vega Baja. Primera Hora places both incidents in barrio Algarrobo at the PR-155 and PR-670 intersection, involving forced metal doors, specific cash and coin thefts totaling over $3,300 combined, and damage to doors, safes and DVR systems. Metro Puerto Rico places its two incidents in barrio Pugnado Adentro's Bartolo Joy sector, involving forced wooden windows, theft of cash, multiple brands of cigarettes and related smoking products, and damage to eight slot machines. The reported times also differ: early-morning for Primera Hora and shortly after 8:40 a.m. for Metro Puerto Rico. The sources do not indicate whether the cases are related.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the burglaries in the two different barrios are believed to be connected or carried out by the same individuals. No arrests have been announced. The exact time of the Algarrobo incidents is given only as "during the early morning," and the amount taken from the eight slot machines in Pugnado Adentro remains unknown. It is also unclear whether any usable fingerprints or video evidence was recovered from the damaged DVR systems.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Investigan dos escalamientos en negocios de Vega Baja
- Reporting Reportan dos escalamientos en negocios de Vega Baja
How we checked this
Primera Hora and Metro Puerto Rico each reported on a distinct pair of commercial break-ins in Vega Baja on the same morning. Details about the locations, methods of entry, items stolen and specific damage rest solely on the respective outlet's account of the preliminary police information each received.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.