Popular Cajun Seafood Restaurant Targeted In Smash-And-Grab: Police

HILLCREST HEIGHTS, MD — Just one month into serving up its signature dishes, the Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood Bar restaurant at the Shops at Iverson mall was hit in a smash-and-grab that also left behind property damage.

The burglary happened around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the restaurant, which is located at 3823 Branch Ave. in Hillcrest Heights. Surveillance video showed four people arriving at the restaurant in a white car who then appeared to shatter the restaurant’s glass front door and went inside. PGPD officials reported that the suspected burglars ransacked the register and took off. No injuries were reported, according to police.

“They only got away with about $400, maybe $100 each after splitting it, but it’s much bigger than the money,” the restaurant's manager, who declined to provide a name, told ABC 7 News. “While hoping to become a pillar and good change in the community, we have already been violated by thieves. We want to raise awareness of this, if possible, in hopes of garnering greater community support than what we already have."

Hook & Reel has locations across the country and specializes in customizable seafood boils, along with appetizers and wings, po'boys and rolls, soups and salads, pasta, various sides and baskets brimming with seafood, fish and chicken paired with assorted fries.

The police department stated that the suspects caused property damage in addition to taking the cash, and that the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Prince George’s County Crime Solvers at pgcrimesolvers.com or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).