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Footage shows burglars breaking into Portland's Covert Cafe on Mother's Day

The Mother’s Day heist happened early Sunday morning at Covert Café near Southeast 82nd Avenue and Morrison Street.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Security cameras captured vivid images of two people breaking into a Southeast Portland bar and restaurant early Sunday morning. The Mother’s Day heist happened at Covert Café near Southeast 82nd Avenue and Morrison Street. 

The video shows the crooks wearing all black clothing and using a crowbar to pry open the front door. Once inside, the criminals knew right where to go, as if they’d been there before, according to co-owner Joe Rodgers.

“They knew where the lock box was. They knew where everything was,” he said.

Rodgers said the criminals stole an undisclosed amount of cash. It was a weekend’s worth of earnings at the small neighborhood bar and restaurant.

“This really is a big hit for us,” Rodgers said. 

The thieves were in and out in roughly five minutes, but the security video provided some clues, including a close-up look at one of the suspects. At one point, the unidentified man looks directly at the security camera. He appeared to be wearing a camouflage-style Seattle Mariner’s baseball cap.

The Portland Police Bureau said it is investigating the burglary.

Credit: Covert Cafe
An unidentified man looking directly at the security camera appeared to be wearing a camouflage-style Seattle Mariner’s baseball cap.

As word started to spread about the Mother’s Day break-in, longtime friends and customers showed up at Covert Café on Sunday afternoon.

“We want to come out and support him a little bit if we can,” said customer Rick Humphrey.

In April, KGW reported on a series of break-ins and broken windows in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood. It’s not clear if the cases are connected.

The losses aren't just painful because of the money, Rodgers said — there's also the feeling of betrayal after criminals steal what small business owners have worked so hard for.

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