Today’s modern jukeboxes have come a long way from their traditional counterparts. Gone are the days of inserting coins and watching a vinyl record being mechanically placed onto a turntable. Instead, jukeboxes now exist as digital, wall-mounted devices. Customers can tap a touchscreen to select and pay for songs using either cash, a credit card, or even an app that accesses a collection of songs stored on a hard drive or the internet.
However, despite these advancements, one thing remains unchanged: jukeboxes still hold money and, therefore, attract the attention of thieves.
In early 2023, Riverside police detectives began noticing a troubling trend. Restaurants, bars, a golf course pro shop, and even a veterinary hospital were being burglarized, with jukeboxes often being the target. The investigation stretched across Riverside County and extended into San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. This month, law enforcement arrested two men believed to be responsible for approximately 28 burglaries.
According to Peggy Hawecker, a bartender at the Skydive bar in Riverside, the thieves targeted almost everyone. One of the defendants, a 23-year-old from Riverside, faces burglary charges in three separate cases. The other defendant, a 42-year-old from San Bernardino with previous burglary convictions, was charged with 27 felony crimes, including burglary, grand theft, and vandalism.
Hawecker described the Skydive bar as a “happy corner bar.” She recounted how the thieves used a sledgehammer to break open the jukebox’s door and make off with $100. They also damaged the touchscreen on the digital dart boards. Hawecker summarized the situation as “easy money.”
The toll was even more significant at the El Patron Mexican restaurant on Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside. Owner Shawna Rider disclosed that the thieves only managed to steal $18 from the jukebox. However, they caused extensive damage to the 119-year-old former train depot. They also stole a safe containing $65,000, which Rider had intended to use for opening a second location in Murrieta. As a result, Rider had to take out a second mortgage on her home and accumulate credit card debt to fund the new restaurant.
Rider expressed her disappointment and feeling violated by the incident, particularly since her business had only recently recovered from the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. While some restaurants closed down during that time, Rider managed to keep her Riverside location afloat by providing meals to senior citizens through a program in San Bernardino County. However, even during that period, her business fell victim to 15 burglaries.
Nevertheless, Rider found solace in the fact that two individuals were apprehended. She eagerly looks forward to seeing them in court and confronting them about their actions, hoping it will serve as a valuable lesson.
Law enforcement authorities are urging anyone with information about the burglaries to contact Detective Vanessa Castillo at 951-826-5376 or [email protected].
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