Police: Suspects wanted for Christmas break-ins at Gastonia restaurants

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia police are searching for burglars they believe stole from several businesses over Christmas.

Officials said the damage to four restaurants on Franklin Boulevard and Cox Road was discovered early Christmas morning.

Surveillance video showed the suspects make off with the cash register from a Brixx Pizza parlor.

Trey Stone, one of the managers at Brixx Pizza, said he drove up to an unpleasant surprise on Christmas Day.

"Me and my family were going out to eat at IHOP and drove by Christmas Day, and happened to see all the police," Stone said.

Stone said one of the problems is getting someone to fix the broken glass left behind, since it’s the holiday season.

"Just a real inconvenience, especially for customers when they are sitting inside and that breeze comes in," Stone said.

In addition to Brixx Pizza, officials said Qdoba, Akropolis and La Fuente were all hit late Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning.

Police said they believe the same suspects committed all four break-ins.

While no one was around when they happened and no one was hurt, workers said it has not stopped them from thinking about the incidents.

"I feel very, very scared about that. Sometimes we are here late at night," said Monica Palacios, the manager of La Fuente.

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