Video captures burglars ransacking businesses in Huntington Beach

Security cameras captured the moment burglars broke into and ransacked several businesses in Huntington Beach.

At least five locations, which included several restaurants and a barber shop, were targeted on Sept. 19 when the suspects arrived between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Huntington Beach police believe the culprits may be connected to similar break-ins across neighboring cities.

Surveillance video captured the intruders shattering the glass front door of a restaurant and hurriedly searching for any cash or valuables inside.

They smashed their way into another restaurant next door and managed to steal some cash from the register.

However, during the destructive break-ins, a nearby restaurant owner overheard the commotion.

"They were using power tools to open the back door and we called the cops," said Allie Segura, the owner of Eat At Joe's. "Since [the police] were down the street, they were here within minutes. The burglars got into our business and were inside, but they didn't have the chance to take anything or destroy anything before the cops got here."

Segura said officers spotted the fleeing suspects and pursued them in their vehicle, but they were able to evade capture.

Segura has worked in the restaurant industry for years and said, as an owner, she's taken certain measures to protect herself from burglars.

"We don't leave much cash at all," she said. "There's nothing in our safe, nothing in our register. We leave our registers open to show that there's no cash."

Over 100 pounds of fentanyl pills discovered in Southern California bust

Sam Arora, whose family owns Curry and Kabab Indian Cuisine restaurant, said he found their glass entry door completely destroyed by the thieves.

"They tried looking around for a safe but I don't keep a safe in here so they weren't getting ahold of that," Arora said. "Usually, you'll hear about gas stations and liquor stores getting broken into but recently, I feel like crime is going up in restaurants, too."

Segura agrees with the sentiment and said she was thankful no one was hurt during the ordeal.

"Luckily, it [happened] while we were closed," she said. "We had to replace our back door — all of [the victim businesses] did — which cost us a couple thousand dollars, so it's tough. Running a small business is tough anyway, so unnecessary expenses like this really hurt."

Local business owners said they've seen a troubling uptick in destructive break-ins and to deter future thefts, they're hoping to see stricter penalties for perpetrators.

"It's too common and it's happening way too much around here," Segura said.

The suspects remain at large. Their getaway car was described as a gray Audi Q8 SUV with no license plates.

The incidents remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714-960-8825.