Full Breakdown
Copper Theft Leaves Pasadena Bakery Without AC Amid Heatwave
7/20/2026, 8:30:28 AM
Core Incident
On a Wednesday in mid-July 2026, thieves stripped approximately $4,000 worth of copper wire from the rooftop air-conditioning unit of Sweet Red Peach Bakery, located at 319 S. Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena, Calif. The theft rendered the unit inoperable and left an estimated $15,000 in damage to the system. With an extreme-heat warning in effect, interior temperatures rose to the low 90s, causing cakes to melt and freezers to strain. The bakery, a little more than a year old after a delayed opening caused by the Eaton Fire, was forced to rely on portable AC units and ice to keep staff and customers tolerable.
Background & City Response
Pasadena officials have warned that rooftop HVAC units are increasingly targeted because they are out of sight and situated on flat, easily scalable commercial roofs. In a news release, Chief Communications Officer Lisa Derderian noted that Sweet Red Peach and the Petsadena Animal Hospital on S. Raymond Ave. were the latest victims of a string of copper-wire thefts. The city advises businesses to install heavy-duty, tamper-resistant steel cages, lock away ladders, and deploy motion-activated security cameras. Officials also cautioned that exposed live wires pose lethal shock hazards to utility workers and bystanders, and they urged anyone with information to contact the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241.
Financial & Operational Impact
The immediate financial hit to Sweet Red Peach includes the $4,000 value of stolen copper and $15,000 in repair costs. A nearby Trek Bicycle store, which has experienced three thefts in the past seven months, reports total losses approaching $100,000. The heat has disrupted normal bakery operations: melted pastries, strained freezers, and a cramped working environment have increased stress on staff and owners alike.
On-the-Ground Reports
Co-owner Danny Griffin described the incident as “just trying times” and expressed uncertainty about future challenges. Kenyatta Glover, the other co-owner, said the situation has been “emotionally difficult,” noting that she has been “crying the last two days.” Regular patron Ken Hitts continues to support the bakery, emphasizing the importance of backing African-American-owned businesses during crises.
Official Statements & Responses
City spokesperson Lisa Derderian emphasized that both affected businesses remain open but face “financial impacts” and “a toll on working conditions” due to the unseasonably high temperatures. Pasadena Police have documented the thefts and are urging the public to report suspicious rooftop activity. The city’s preventative recommendations focus on physical barriers and surveillance to deter future incidents.
Criticism & Opposition
Store management reports that burglaries have targeted Sweet Red Peach three times in the past seven months, underscoring persistent security vulnerabilities despite city advisories. No formal criticism from municipal authorities appears in the available reports.
Data & Statistics
- Copper wire stolen: ? $4,000
- Repair damage: ? $15,000
- Nearby Trek Bicycle store losses (seven-month period): ? $100,000
- Affected businesses: Sweet Red Peach Bakery, Petsadena Animal Hospital, Trek Bicycle store
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s just trying times, it just makes you think, ‘What’s next?'” — Danny Griffin, co-owner
- “It was the last thing in our mind to think that somebody would go on our roof and hit our specific AC unit and damage it to the point where it's inoperable,” — Danny Griffin, co-owner
- “You have to smile to keep from crying, but it’s a lot, because we’re human. One can only take so much,” — Kenyatta Glover, co-owner
- “Lord Jesus Christ is my savior, and I think God's going to take care of it ... you can't have a testimony without a test.” — Danny Griffin, co-owner
- “I've been trying to support Danny and particularly African-American businesses, because they struggle probably more so than other businesses,” — Ken Hitts, customer
What’s Next
Pasadena officials continue to urge businesses to install tamper-resistant cages, secure ladders, and activate motion-triggered cameras, while the police department remains open to tips that could lead to arrests and recovery of stolen materials.
