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Family-run business bounces back after COVID-19, looting incident

Posted at 11:56 PM, Jun 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-11 11:55:54-04

TAMPA, Fla. -- A restaurant in Tampa's University Area is back open after suffering a tough one-two punch of COVID-19 and damage and theft from looting.

Surveillance video shows unknown suspects carrying out the safe from the Little Greek Fresh Grill, located on Fowler Avenue.

"They took a hammer to the cash register, then they went and took the safe and they smashed it against the ground," said owner Nick Vojnovic. "I hope the people who did it maybe feel some regret."

Little Greek was targeted on the first night of widespread protests in Tampa.

"Imagine somebody coming into your house, trashing your car, coming into your bedroom, trashing your bedroom, taking all your money and then leaving. How would you feel? You’d feel violated," Vojnovic said.

While COVID-19 cut out about 80 percent of Little Greek's business, Vojnovic kept his staff working through the pandemic by helping feed the homeless.

Looting forced Little Greek to halt that philanthropy for a few days.

This week, the Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released pictures and videos of unknown suspects connected to more than a dozen break-ins of area businesses the night of May 30 and the morning of May 31.

Anyone with information regarding those unknown suspects is eligible for a cash reward. You're asked to call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com.