The Long Beach Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into the vandalism and burglary of Chen’s Chinese Restaurant that occurred early Monday morning.
According to LBPD, officers responded to a phone call regarding the incident at approximately 7:15 a.m.
Upon officer arrival, the business, located at 2131 East Broadway in Long Beach, was vacant with a shattered front window. A contractor was requested to arrive at the scene to board up the damages.
“Chen’s has always been super welcoming. We would go there as a group for birthdays and other celebrations, but we would also go there as a group if something tragic happened. It was the best place to go for any reason. The food is delicious and the love is prevalent,” Charlotte Blaire, a North Long Beach resident said.
“For many years my friends and I frequented the place,” Blaire said. “I don’t live as close now, but it’s one of the places I’ve been wanting to return to once things get back to normal. The decor is fabulous and that honey shrimp is just magical.”
The owner of the restaurant, a male adult victim, stated that money and property were stolen from the business but no further details have been released as the investigation is ongoing.
This incident has not been definitively labeled as an anti-Asian hate crime by LBPD.
According to LBPD, in 2020 and 2021 there have been no reported anti-Asian hate crimes in Long Beach but there have been reports of disturbance within the community. In June of last year, a female Long Beach resident was captured on video spouting anti-Asian rhetoric in Torrance park and was arrested in July for a separate incident involving battery charges.
“It breaks your heart when local businesses get robbed,” Jamie Cha, who used to frequent the restaurant, said. “I don’t know if it is part of Asian hate or just random. So sad.”
This story was updated at 1 p.m. on April 21 to include quotes from Long Beach residents.
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