A bakery in Pasadena is facing a difficult situation after thieves stole $4,000 worth of copper wire from its rooftop air conditioning unit.
Along with the copper, authorities report that the Sweet Red Peach Bakery is seeking $15,000 in damages.
“On the first day of this heatwave, someone stole our air conditioning unit,” the baker noted on their social media.
Without air conditioning, the temperature inside the bakery soared to 90 degrees. As a result, cakes began to melt, and the refrigeration system was almost failing.
“It’s just a tough time right now; it really makes you wonder, ‘What’s next?'” said co-owner Danny Griffin, who hasn’t closed the store located on Arroyo Parkway.
“I never thought someone could climb onto the roof and vandalize an air conditioning unit to such an extent,” Griffin added, reflecting on the situation.
Kenyatta Glover, another co-owner, expressed frustration, pointing out that the bakery had just begun to recover from a previous incident, the Eaton fire, and now this new issue arises.
“I have to laugh to keep from crying—that’s tough because, well, we’re human. There’s only so much one can take,” she remarked.
Despite the challenges, they maintain faith that things will improve. “The Lord Jesus Christ is my Savior, and I trust God will handle this… I can’t testify without testing,” Griffin commented.
It’s not just this bakery that’s facing theft. A nearby bike shop has experienced three incidents over the last seven months, resulting in almost $100,000 in losses.
The local community has rallied around the bakery during this crisis. Regular visitors, like Ken Hitz, continue to come by to support their favorite spot.
“I’ve been trying to help Danny, especially since, you know, supporting African-American businesses feels particularly important right now,” Hitz said.
