UPDATED: 5th Avenue Restaurant Break-ins — Burglar Pilfers Lotus Sandwiches; Less Successful At Mezcal’s Mexican [Photos]

Two 5th Avenue restaurants fell victim to a burglar early this morning, and police are currently searching for the suspect.

Employee Joyce Li of Lotus Vietnamese Sandwiches (229 5th Avenue between Carroll and President Streets) said a man broke through their front gate at approximately 12:30am on Wednesday, September 14.

Li told Park Slope Stoop that surveillance video shows who she described as a bald male, approximately 40 years old. According to the video’s time stamp, the suspect spent about 30 minutes in the restaurant. Li said he got away with the cash register, a laptop, an iPhone, and a motorized bicycle used for deliveries.

“He left the door open on his way out,” added Li. “The police came and took a copy of the video.”

A police spokesperson told us approximately $1000 was stolen during the incident. The suspect used a hammer to break into the front gate.

Police confirmed a suspect also broke into the basement of nearby Mezcal’s (223 5th Avenue at President Street) at approximately 11pm on Tuesday, September 13 — roughly 90 minutes before the Lotus burglary.

“Nothing was taken, because they broke into the basement and couldn’t get up into the restaurant,” said Nidia, a Mezcal’s employee. “There is a wall between the first area and our basement. We were lucky.”

A spate of burglaries on or near 5th Avenue took place last March, including Acme Wines & Spirits (487 5th Avenue), Culture Yogurt (331 5th Avenue), Postmark Cafe (326 6th Street), Aji Fusion Sushi (201 5th Avenue), as well as two incidents at Athena Mediterranean Cuisine (535 6th Avenue).

In addition, a seventh attempt took place at Loki Lounge (341 2nd Street between 4th and 5th Avenues), however the perpetrator(s) were unable to break through their security.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting your tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Police say all calls are confidential.

This article was updated Thursday, September 15 at 12:13pm.