B.C. cafe owner back to work a week after heart attack suffered in burglary
A Surrey cafe owner is back to work just a week after suffering a heart attack after thieves broke into his business with a vehicle.
Joe Martino, owner of Martino’s Cappuccino and Coffee Bar in Crescent Beach, woke up to the sound of a van slamming into the front of his business at 4 a.m. Thursday, August 31.
Martino lives above his cafe and the incident sent the 85-year-old business owner to hospital.
“I had prostate cancer, bladder cancer, sleep asthma, triple bypa*s… I had a lot of problems but I’m still moving at 85,” he said. he told PKBNEWS.
“I had such pain in my chest that the police called the ambulance and they immediately took me to the hospital.”
Martino will need a pacemaker but after a two-day stay in hospital he was back to work on Monday as if it were no big deal.
His friend told PKBNEWS it would take more than just a heart attack to keep Martino out.
“You can’t knock it down. He’s one of the few people… no matter how many surgeries, (he) is on top of everything,” Ron Pashniak said.
Martino said he was blown away by the support he has received in recent days from the surrounding community.
“I can’t believe how many people are calling me saying ‘I wish you get well’ and sending me cards and flowers… I can’t believe it,” he said. he declares.
“I didn’t know I had so many people taking care of me.”
The break-in is believed to be linked to a series of incidents in Surrey. Surrey RCMP say eight businesses were broken into and in each one a vehicle was used to break through the main entrances.
“Investigators believe the incidents are likely related due to the similar nature of the offenses and geographic locations. However, further evidence is needed to conclusively link the events,” Surrey RCMP said in a statement.
The eight burglaries took place on 24th Avenue, Croydon Drive or Beecher Street between 11.20 p.m. and 5 a.m. They took place on August 1, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 20 and 31.
“We recognize the impact such incidents have on businesses in our community,” the sergeant said. Jordan Davies of the Property Crime Targeting Team said in the statement.
“Our team is actively working to identify the suspects so they can be held to account.”
RCMP are asking anyone with information about the incidents or surveillance footage of the area to contact the detachment at 604-599-0502.
© 2023 PKBNEWS, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
