Los Angeles, CA — A brazen burglary at a South Los Angeles barbershop has left the owner devastated after thieves made off with thousands of dollars in tools—and his beloved cat, Simba. Surveillance footage captured the moment a group of masked burglars rammed a beige Toyota pickup truck into the front of LA Fresh Cuts, located at 1807 E. Florence Avenue, during the early hours of Nov. 27, Thanksgiving morning.
Around 2:30 a.m., the suspects reversed the truck directly into the storefront, shattering the glass door, destroying windows, and damaging interior walls. The impact created a large opening that allowed the burglars to rush inside within seconds.
Suspects Ransack the Shop and Steal Pet Cat
Moments after the crash, three masked men jumped out of the vehicle and sprinted into the barbershop. Surveillance video shows the trio rifling through the business in a matter of seconds, grabbing clippers, scissors, chargers, and any other tools they could find.
Shockingly, the group also took a kennel containing Simba, the shop owner’s treasured cat. The burglars placed the caged animal onto the truck bed before speeding away, leaving the shop in shambles.
For the shop’s owner, Joe Gomez, the missing equipment was nothing compared to losing Simba.
“When I saw the video, it was Simba I was looking at the whole time,” Gomez said. “I didn’t even care about the inventory they were throwing in the truck. It was just my cat—how he was acting and how they were treating him. That’s what got me the most.”
Simba: The Shop Mascot and Community Favorite
Simba, a Savannah cat, has long been considered the barbershop’s unofficial mascot. Customers say he warmly greeted locals every day, lounging in the shop and offering comfort to clients, especially kids.
“It’s just devastating,” Gomez told KTLA’s Jillian Smukler. “It sucks.”
For Gomez, Simba isn’t just a pet—he’s family.
“He’s a family member. They kidnapped a family member,” he said.
Over $13,000 in Damage and Stolen Tools
The aftermath of the break-in left the barbershop heavily damaged. Gomez estimates the combined loss from repairs and stolen equipment to exceed $13,000. Despite the setback, he remains committed to his business—and his community.
Gomez has continued to cut hair in the days following the burglary, saying the shop is his main source of income. Support from the neighborhood has poured in, with many customers showing up for appointments as a way to help him recover.
A Barbershop With a Bigger Mission
Right next door to LA Fresh Cuts sits a small boxing gym Gomez opened to give local kids and teens a safe space to train and stay off the streets. The break-in reinforced his determination to continue serving the community.
“It’s a bad neighborhood and I’m trying to prevent these kids from doing what these [burglars] did to me on Thanksgiving,” he said.
Investigation Ongoing as Owner Pleads for Simba’s Safe Return
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating the burglary. Detectives are reviewing the surveillance footage and seeking information about the suspects and the Toyota pickup used during the crime.
But for Gomez, material losses are overshadowed by the hope of seeing Simba again.
“That really is all I care about,” he said. “I just want him back safe.”
Residents in the area are urged to report any sightings of a Savannah cat or any information connected to the burglary.
How do you feel about this heartbreaking theft in South Los Angeles? Share your thoughts, support for Joe, or any information you believe could help in the comments below.
