Harold & Belle’s, a renowned Creole restaurant located in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, recently experienced two break-ins, raising concerns about security and community support.
The first break-in occurred on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Owner Ryan Legaux received an early morning call from staff alerting him: “I think you should get down here as somebody was in the restaurant last night.”
Surveillance footage showed three individuals forcing entry with a crowbar. “They crowbarred the gate open, and they crowbarred the kitchen door open to get inside the restaurant,” Legaux explained. “They looked around the restaurant for, like, I guess they were looking for money.”
The intruders attempted to access the manager’s office safe but were unsuccessful. “They got that door open but weren’t able to get into the safe,” he said. Ultimately, the burglars left with bottles of alcohol, taking nothing of significant value during the first break-in.
Eight days later, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, the restaurant was targeted again. “Same thing in the morning,” Legaux shared. “The first guy who was here… says, ‘Hey man, I think they were back.’”
This time, the perpetrators used a crowbar to force entry through different doors and managed to access a storage shed. Although many valuable items were secured, the burglars stole a $4,000 piece of equipment.
“They went to all different doors that they hadn’t done the week before,” Legaux said. “The unnerving part is they came back twice already. It’s like they’re watching and waiting.”
Legaux speculated that the restaurant’s reputation might have contributed to it being targeted. “People see a place like ours… and they just assume that there’s something to be had in there,” he explained.
Legaux noted that misconceptions about cash being stored on-site no longer align with modern payment methods: “People just pay with credit cards now; they don’t really pay with cash as much anymore.”
Adding to the frustration, Legaux pointed to a malfunctioning alarm system as a vulnerability.
“We’ve had trouble with ADT, the alarm company, getting them to repair this alarm for well over a year now,” said Legaux. “The cameras captured some surveillance footage of them, but that doesn’t really do anything as far as the alarm.”
Despite the setbacks, Legaux emphasized the importance of sharing his story to raise awareness. “We take all the proper precautions, but it can still happen to us, so it can happen to anybody,” he said. He urged others to secure their properties and remain vigilant.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the incidents, but Legaux acknowledged challenges in prioritizing such cases.
“I don’t want to say it’s a low priority, but there’s a lot of other stuff going on in the city,” said Legaux “Nobody was hurt… some damage and some items missing, but it’s not like we’re at the top of their list.”
To assist with the financial burden of the damages, Harold & Belle’s has set up a GoFundMe campaign. “We are setting up a GoFundMe to help pay for some of this stuff,” Legaux shared.
Harold & Belle’s has been a Los Angeles staple since 1969, offering authentic Creole cuisine and serving as a gathering place for the community.
Reflecting on the broader challenges in the restaurant industry, Legaux said: “It’s already a tough business, a tough time for restaurants, and stuff like this doesn’t make it any easier.”
Despite these setbacks, Harold & Belle’s remains committed to its legacy. Patrons can visit their GoFundMe campaign to support their recovery.
