Burglars hit 3 Solano Avenue shops over the weekend

Three Solano Avenue businesses in Albany were burglarized over the weekend: Mr. Dewie's, iSlice Pizza and As You Wish Frozen Yogurt.

Andrew Cohen, Mr. Dewie's co-founder, said it was his third break-in at the Solano Avenue shop — and the second one this year (not to mention the historic clock that fell into his window in June).

Cohen said the burglars pulled up around the corner on Kains Avenue at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

They tried unsuccessfully to break two windows before smashing one of the shop's larger panes.

The culprits, who sounded young based on the security footage, ran inside and ultimately made off with a safe, even though it had been bolted down, Cohen said.

"It's part of doing business but it doesn't make it any better," he said.

Cohen is now working on adding new security measures in hopes of deterring future thieves.

As far as the take, he said, it wasn't a huge loss.

"It's the window," Cohen said. "It's being called up at 4 a.m., having to board it up, having to buy a new one."

He said one of his workers had gotten a suspicious call in the hours before the burglary from someone who asked how much cash they kept in the drawer. Cohen reported it to police.

Sunday morning, as he was cleaning up, he said community members went out of their way to express support.

"It was just an onslaught of love," he said.

One "diehard Dewie fan" told him she hoped police caught the culprits, saying no one better get in the way of her ice cream.

The shop, which features vegan cashew-milk ice cream, has a devoted following. The business began in Albany and now has stores on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, in Emeryville and in Walnut Creek.

Five Berkeley restaurants and a skincare shop were also burglarized early Sunday morning.

Berkeley police said they are looking into whether those cases are linked.

Update, 5:30 p.m. Albany police have confirmed that three businesses (As You Wish, Mr. Dewie's, and iSlice Pizza) had been burglarized early Sunday morning.

"In each incident, entry was made by smashing a window. Cash and other property were reported stolen," authorities said.

Albany police said they have added high-visibility patrols along Solano Avenue and the surrounding business district in response to the break-ins, in addition to their routine patrols.

The burglaries remain under investigation, police said.

Authorities asked anyone with information about the burglaries to call the Albany Police Department at 510-525-7300.

Note: This story was updated just after publication when additional details became available.