PORTLAND, Ore. — Like countless restaurant owners across the city, the owner of Yaad Style Jamaican Cuisine in Northeast Portland is trying to stay afloat by offering takeout.
"It is very tough," said Curtis Mazelin. "You get some orders but it's not enough to cover."
It makes what you are about to read all the more upsetting. Mazelin says in early April somebody broke into his restaurant. Surveillance footage showed the bad guy stealing a safe. It was empty. But the crook cut power to the restaurant and Mazelin had to throw away more than $2,000 worth of food.
"It's very frustrating, especially around this time," he said. "When we're all reaching and scraping to see what we can do."
If you think it cannot get any worse, think again. The early April break-in was the third at Yaad Style Jamaican Cuisine since Mazelin took over as owner late last year.
"It's discouraging," he said.
Mazelin says the first break-in was in early December. The second break-in was in mid-February. The suspect(s) broke in through the front door and stole electronics. A frustrated Mazelin bought a security camera and powered it up right before the most recent break-in that happened to be just days after Mazelin closed his dining room due to COVID-19.
"We're at the mercy of takeouts and that's still not enough," Mazelin said. "To have this happen at this time is just awful."
Mazelin has filed police reports for all three break-ins. Anyone with information should contact the Portland Police Bureau.