In an unexpected and unfortunate turn of events, Mark Douek, the owner of a kosher pizza shop located at 1708 S. Robertson in Pico-Robertson, was forced to confront a break-in that caused significant damage to his store. However, in a true testament to his resilience and commitment to his business, Douek reopened the shop just hours after the incident, determined not to let the setback disrupt his operations.
“I cannot afford to be closed with this economy—taxes are very high, everything is high and I have my employees. I can’t tell them to stay home,” Douek explained in a phone interview with the Journal. This decision to reopen promptly reflects the pressures many small business owners face, especially in tough economic times.
The break-in occurred early on Tuesday, March 11, when Douek received a call from Bob Eghbali, the owner of Robertson Specialty Pharmacy next door. Eghbali informed him that both his pharmacy and Douek’s pizza shop had been broken into. Douek rushed to the scene and discovered that his shop’s window had been smashed, appliances and flooring had been damaged, the cash register had been destroyed, and money had been stolen.
Surveillance footage revealed the extent of the break-in. At approximately 4 a.m., three hooded burglars broke into the store. After smashing the window, they immediately targeted the cash register. “I left the key in the register, but they decided to destroy the register rather than open it,” Douek said. “The alarm didn’t work for some reason. I forgot to put it on. It took them exactly three and a half minutes to trash the place and leave. I had some money inside the store, and they found it.”
Douek estimates the damage to be between $15,000 and $20,000, and he expressed frustration with the delayed police response, which took three hours. Despite this, Douek remains skeptical that the burglars will be apprehended, as break-ins have become a recurring issue in the area. “At the pharmacy next door, it happens at least once or twice a year,” he remarked. “Thank God this was my first time.”
The frequency of break-ins in the neighborhood has been troubling for local businesses. In September 2024, a group of teenagers on bikes broke into the nearby 7-Eleven and caused significant damage. “There were maybe 100 of them. They just entered the store while it was open, took everything, and left,” Douek recalled.
Eghbali, whose pharmacy also suffered damage in the break-in, estimates his losses to be around $15,000. He shared with the Journal that break-ins have been a growing issue in the area since the onset of the COVID pandemic five years ago. Although he takes measures to secure high-narcotics products, the burglars continue to target his pharmacy, likely in search of drugs they can sell.
Despite the significant losses, Douek received an outpouring of support from the Jewish community on social media. “I’m grateful that no one was hurt,” he said. “I honestly don’t wish bad on these guys who broke in. I just wish they would fix their lives and become better people.” His positive outlook in the face of adversity showcases his commitment to both his community and his business.
Through this challenging experience, Douek’s quick decision to reopen his pizzeria reflects not only his resilience but also his deep sense of responsibility to his staff, his customers, and his business.
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