Footage released after eatery is hit

BREAK-IN . . . at Chadderton Bar and Grill

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A RESTAURANT was targeted by a burglar early on Christmas Day, who used a ladder to get inside an upstairs room before stealing more than £1,000 in cash.

Staff at Chadderton Bar and Grill on Middleton Road discovered the break-in when they arrived for work on Christmas morning, to get ready for a lunchtime opening.

They found the ladder at the back of the site and CCTV footage recorded inside the restaurant showed a man wearing gloves and a hooded top taking a cash drawer from the counter around 6.15am on Christmas morning.

Joint-owner Musti Serbest said: "I don't know how many people were involved in this.

"I've only seen the CCTV footage from inside the restaurant, which shows one person.

Takings

"It looked like the burglar brought a ladder, forced open a window to get into the upper floor and then came downstairs into the restaurant.

"We had been open on Christmas Eve and it was a busy night.

"The burglar took a total of £1,100 but thankfully we had not left all the takings there.

"Our staff came to open-up on Christmas Day around 7.30am and noticed a ladder outside the back of the building and an open window.

"They called me straight away and I went upstairs to have a look.

"It looks like the burglar took some money from upstairs and a till cash drawer from downstairs.

"Thankfully there was no serious damage done.

"The police came to carry out forensic tests, looking for fingerprints and other things. They are due to come back again to give me an update."

Mr Serbest, who is originally from Turkey, added: "I've had a look at the CCTV footage and the person shown taking the cash drawer looks familiar.

"I am going to speak to other local businesses to see if they recognise him.

"It looks like a man who may live in this area.

"I'll speak to other shopkeepers who may know his face.

"We have been here for two years and this is the first time anything like this has happened.

"It's a good business employing 17 staff.

"We have six in the kitchen and 11 others.

"We've had some messages of support from customers, following the burglary, which we appreciate. It's good to know that people care."

Mr Serbest runs the restaurant with business partner Rami Foster, who is the chef.