Burglars steal thousands in cash and goods from Elk Grove bakery on Christmas Day
Two masked men broke into Rumi’s Oasis, an Afghan-owned bakery, cafe and halal market, early on Christmas Day, stealing cash, equipment and inventory, according to the owner of the Elk Grove business.
Surveillance footage shows the men forcing entry through the front door before taking the register and multiple items from the kitchen and shelves. The video, posted to social media by the business, shows one suspect wearing a black hoodie with white designs and the other in camouflage pants and a dark button-down shirt. A small black SUV seen in the footage is believed to be their vehicle, though its license plate was not legible.
Owner Linna Baraki said she learned about the burglary the following morning when a baker arrived and noticed the front door ajar.
“He called me, he said there’s a key in the door and the door is slightly open,” Baraki said. “I was like, ‘My god, did the shift leave it open?’ And then he’s like, ‘No, I don’t think so because the lockbox is missing, too.’”
Baraki reviewed the security footage and immediately called Elk Grove police. In addition to taking the cash register, the burglars stole recently delivered inventory.
“We were missing a lot of inventory items that we had just received for two weddings that we had back to back, one at the Sheraton last night for 500 people, the night before for 300, so it was an overwhelming weekend with the holiday,” Baraki said.
Although the business remained open, Baraki said she had to replace key supplies at retail cost.
“It was an overwhelming weekend with the holiday,” she said.
The burglary caused losses totaling several thousand dollars, according to Baraki. Fortunately, the restaurant’s point-of-sale system remained functional with backup devices, she said.
Elk Grove police said the theft for a reported $500 in cash along with the stolen goods and damaged to the business’ floor remains under investigation.
Another restaurant, Brickland in East Sacramento, was also broken into and vandalized on Christmas Day. Both Brickland and Rumi’s Oasis are businesses operated by Afghan Americans.
This story was originally published December 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM.
