Latest local news briefs include an update on the new Crepes & Burgers restaurant on Auburn Boulevard, a $30,000 Christmas Eve theft at San Juan High School, technology aiding in the recovery of a local stolen vehicle, and latest news on Beer Dogs’ plans for expansion.
Up to $30k in equipment stolen from San Juan High School on Christmas Eve
San Juan High School received an unexpected visit on Christmas Eve, when thousands of dollars of equipment were stolen from the school’s auto shop. Principal Vanessa Adolphson was quoted on the San Juan High School Alumni Association’s Facebook Page revealing what she described as the “heartbreaking” tragedy, and Police Lt. Chad Courtney said the incident is under investigation.
Lt. Courtney said police have reviewed surveillance video and believe three or four suspects broke into a locked storage area and stole items valued up to $30,000, including a welder, a go-cart, and other equipment. He described the footage as “kind of grainy film” without identifiable license plates, but said suspect vehicles include a darker 1980’s Honda station wagon or a black or dark purple 1990’s Ford Explorer.
Crepes & Burgers opening delayed again; owners now target mid-January
A new crepes restaurant on Auburn Boulevard has once-again been delayed in opening, with owners now targeting a grand opening in January instead of their initial goal to open in July. Chef and co-owner Martin Garcia said remodeling work on the building uncovered more problems than anticipated. He said the most recent two-week delay was caused by a hard-to-find water leak, which was eventually located several feet underneath a section of newly poured concrete. A new website was recently launched for the restaurant, offering a preview of what menu options will be offered. (See website)
LoJack tech helps recover stolen truck from Citrus Heights
A stolen 2002 Ford truck from Citrus Heights was recently recovered by police, thanks to the vehicle being equipped with LoJack technology, the Sacramento Bee reported. Sacramento Police found the truck, along with the suspected thief sleeping in the vehicle, near Norwood Avenue on Dec. 22. Lonnie Smith, 39, was arrested on charges of car theft, possession of stolen property and burglary tools, as well as possession of narcotics, police told The Bee.
According to LoJack’s website, an estimated 10,000 vehicles equipped with the company’s technology are recovered each year in the US. LoJack units are small unmarked radio frequency transceivers that are hidden on customer vehicles and can be activated if a theft is recorded into a nationwide stolen vehicle database, following a police report. Police helicopters are often equipped with technology to receive a LoJack signal, helping law enforcement locate the stolen vehicle. (See SacBee story).
Beer Dogs says sales exceeding goals; planning four more in region
The new Beer Dogs restaurant in Citrus Heights, which opened in September at Sylvan Corners, has met or exceeded all of its sales targets for hot dogs on the menu and plans to launch four new locations in 2017, according to restaurant spokesman and senior partner Zachary Swithenbank. Since opening four months ago, Beer Dogs has earned an average rating of 4-and-a-half-stars out of 5-stars by a total of 64 reviewers on Yelp. Swithenbank said the next location to open will most likely be in Folsom, along with three others in the greater-Sacramento region later in the year.
