Downtown Fresno business owners unite against thieves

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Business owners in Downtown Fresno are taking a stand after a struggling bicycle shop was hit several times by thieves.

Cathie Morales who owns a salon down the street from the shop said, "it's so insulting."

Morales says neighbors are family so when one is hurting, she feels the pain, "I want to help and at the same time, I hope it doesn't happen to me," she said.

Surveillance video captured a thief breaking into Fulton Cycle Works and stealing a bike on Valentine's Day. It happened again a little over a week later and the next night, a window was broken.

The owner, Darren Johnson didn't want to talk on camera Friday night but he showed to Sergio Cortes' home for support.

"We have your back and please if there's anything we can help with, we are willing to help," Cortes said to Johnson during a group meeting.

Cortes has already started helping. He and other neighbors have been taking turns to keep an eye on the shop at night.

"We really care about our neighborhood," Cortes added, "we wanted to show that we support the businesses and be proactive and lead by example really."

He also noticed some changes with security. Patrols usually take place within the Fulton Mall which ends at Tuolomne Street, just south of the shop. But lately, Cortes says, security guards have been going north of the street. Police have been following leads to make an arrest and Johnson says the mayor called him.

City Spokesperson, Mark Standriff said, "we want to make sure that the investment that the business owner is making in the community is not only profitable but it's secure."

Still, Johnson isn't sure if it'll be enough for him to stay. He says closing the shop would be much easier.

Morales said, "it would be so sad...it would be really, really sad."

On a street where neighbors are family, it would be like losing a loved one.