WASHINGTON — A local restaurant owner is speaking out after someone broke into her business this week, just like she says thieves have for the past several years right around the holidays.
"Robbery season," Mariya Rusciano calls it.
After nearly 12 years in the Brookland neighborhood, you might say her restaurant's place in the community is baked in.
"Because of the style of pizza that we make, it actually became a destination in the city," said Rusciano of the Pizza Napoletana served at the restaurant she and her husband built from scratch.
"We've had a very good run so far," Rusciano said. "An amazing neighborhood and we are very glad to be a part of it."
But, she says times and challenges have changed.
"I don't know how many more hits we can take," she said.
Monday, the restaurant took another one of those hits when police say someone forced their way in around 3 a.m., likely looking for cash, stealing liquor, and leaving behind thousands of dollars in damage.
And it's not the first time.
On Wednesday, Rusciano posted online that for her business this isn't just the holiday season, but "robbery season." She says between their two locations, thieves have broken in at least 8 times in just the past few years - all at this time of year.
They've added security and try not to deal in cash at the restaurant.
"You don't want to be pistol-whipped over 50 bucks," she said of customers not carrying cash.
But Rusciano worries if the city doesn't find a solution, D.C.'s spike in crime could ruin businesses like hers.
"Besides the expenses themselves, it's just the fear that people get, perhaps even visiting the place," she said. "The recent crime news out of D.C. has not been good for business. People are afraid to go out."
But for now, they will repair and remain.
"We believe better times are ahead. And we will we will not leave Brookland," said Rusciano.
She said she is happy with the D.C. police officer who works in her neighborhood. She said he stood guard at their broken-down door from 3 a.m. until 7 in the morning until someone could come to secure it.
She would like to see more support for officers, from the council.
Police are investigating after a Damascus store has been burglarized nearly five times in four months.