LOS ANGELES — The local Filipino American community is coming together in support of Historic Filipinotown businesses that were hit during a recent smash and grab burgulary.

A GoFundMe page with a $25,000 goal has been set up by community members for the affected businesses, including beloved restaurant Dollar Hits.

“We want to help them out during this difficult time by lessening the burden during the holidays,” says the GoFundMe page.

Elvira Chan, owner and founder of popular Filipino street food restaurant Dollar Hits, was devastated and could not fathom that her business would be targeted after operating in that part of Historic Filipinotown for more than 13 years.

“It was really sad when we were told that our restaurant was robbed. But we are grateful that nobody was hurt,” Chan told the Asian Journal in a phone interview.

But according to Chan, this incident won’t stop her from providing the community what they consider their “staple” for many years.

“After we learned about what happened, we have the smashed glass doors and panels repaired immediately and start our business as usual by 1 p.m. that day,” she said.

Based on CCTV footage gathered by police, at around 4:35 a.m on Monday, December 12, the suspects from a nearby parked black car, smashed and grabbed three establishments, including Dollar Hits located in the 240 block of N. Carondelet Street in Historic Filipinotown.

The two other businesses targeted during the burglary were My Mom’s Bakeshop and LA Beauty.

Chan lamented that the burglars were able to steal thousands of dollars in their cash registers, which were normally intended for their daily petty cash and emergency funds.

“Everything [was] taken and my cash register and the other cash register — all gone,” Chan said.

Chan said police are now searching for the suspects who were all wearing masks and dark clothing when they smashed into the stores.

Despite this untoward incident, the Dollar Hits owner is grateful to a witness, Edmond Remijio, a 30-year-old Filipino man, who called the police after witnessing the burglary.

As a way to give back for his bravery, Chan said they hired Remijio, who had been using Dollar Hits’ pavement as his temporary shelter at night after being homeless and out of job for years.

“We asked him if he wants to work for us,” she said, adding that they also gave him a small space at a friend’s house to call his temporary home.

Chan said Remijio is one of many homeless people around the area that Dollar Hits has been extending assistance for the past few years.

“We love this community and we want to help people like them. We feed them,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chan said the police advised them and other business establishments in the area to not only rely on CCTV camera but should also install security alarms.

“If it were not for Edmond, there could have been more damages done to our place of business. That’s why we are very thankful and we want to help him. And we want to help the community the best way we can,” she said.

Chan assured donors that part of the proceeds from the fundraising initiative will be used to continue helping the homeless people in the area.

“The money will be distributed directly to the business owners to help with the repair/replacement expenses, preventative security meaLOS ANGELES — The local Filipino American community is coming together in support of Historic Filipinotown businesses that were hit during a recent smash and grab burgulary.