A beloved family-owned pizza shop in East Bakersfield is reeling after an early morning break-in on Saturday left the business damaged and temporarily closed.
Slicer’s Pizza, a neighborhood staple run by local resident Jacob Henry and his family, was forced to shut its doors over the weekend following a robbery that occurred just after 3 a.m. Surveillance footage shows a suspect using a hammer to break through the wall of the restaurant after entering through an abandoned unit next door.
“It’s an uneasy feeling,” said owner Jacob Henry. “It adds a little bit of extra stress to the day, which nobody needs in the restaurant business.”
According to Henry, the suspect—described as a Caucasian male—first broke the glass to access the neighboring vacant property before breaching the wall that connected to Slicer’s kitchen. Once inside, the intruder ransacked the area, stealing items including a cash register, tools, and a soundbar. More concerning to the owners, however, was the extent of the destruction left behind.
“They actually did more damage than they did stealing goods,” Henry said. “That makes us feel like we were almost targeted in a way. It’s a pizza place—unless you’re coming in to make pizzas, what else are you here for?”
Henry, who lives just minutes from the restaurant, was notified of the break-in by the alarm company. By the time he arrived, the suspect had fled through the back door. He and his son, Patrick, spent the rest of the morning cleaning up the mess and patching up the damaged wall.
“We’re from East Bakersfield. This is our community,” Henry added. “We could have opened this place anywhere, but we chose here—close to home. We haven’t had a lot of trouble before, but crime can strike anywhere. This time, it struck us.”
While no one was present during the break-in and no injuries occurred, the incident has raised concerns about safety.
“If they break into a place when someone is there, it can be very dangerous,” Henry said. “You can tell from the way they tore through the place that they’re not good people. I’m just thankful no one got hurt, and hopefully, these guys get caught.”
The Bakersfield Police Department is investigating the incident. The suspect remains at large.
Despite the setback, loyal customers have expressed their support for the business.
“I love Slicer’s,” said customer Tonya Razo. “They’re kind, quick, and family-oriented. They even gave my son an ice cream today—just so sweet. We’ll continue to support them.”
Slicer’s Pizza is expected to reopen once repairs are complete and the owners feel confident about resuming operations safely.
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