Popular Houston Vietnamese restaurant burglarized

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Late-night or Midday, Mai's is a Midtown staple.

"It's a place of community for us. At least it is for me," said customer Pam Collins. "I've known some of these waiters for years. And Mai herself."

But overnight on July 14, Mai's became the target of aggressive thieves.

"I felt like it was dj vu -- except this time, it wasn't an act of nature or some freak accident. Somebody did this to us," said General Manager Anna Pham, referring to a devastating fire four years ago that destroyed the building.

"Naturally I was like, I have a surveillance camera, let's see what we can get," said Pham.

The video shows one male suspect breaking into the restaurant's front door with a crowbar, then trolling through the dining room and offices. Pham said she doesn't recognize the man.

"You feel violated in every sense of the word because he's been in my office now," she said.

The suspect spent 31 minutes inside the restaurant, making several round trips to steal a new server, 10 computer work-stations due to be installed the next day, two iPads and more than $10,000 cash.

"Wow. I just hate to hear that," said Collins. "I wish something could be done."

The suspect left through a back door, hopped into a getaway car and an accomplice drove off.

"Whatever was taken, it's a huge loss because we've worked for it. It's ours. It's mine. It's blood sweat and tears," said Pham. "But until someone identifies him, unfortunately all I have is just another case."

Anyone with information on this burglary is urged to call the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.