Florida man arrested after targeting Mexican restaurant multiple times; Owner frustrated
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — A 22-year-old Florida man who stole more than £800 from a Mexican restaurant[1] last week — and then came back days later for more — has been arrested. Jordan Grandison, of Pensacola, was booked into Escambia County Jail Wednesday night on the following charges:
- Attempted robbery with a weapon
- Aggravated assault
- Grand theft
- Burglary
Emma Mercado, the owner of La Cabana Mexican Kitchen, said she believes Grandison has targeted her taco truck restaurant four times in the past month. She said she’s lost out on almost £5,000.
WEAR received reports Thursday for the last three incidents. According to a report, around 7:45 p.m. last Thursday as the restaurant was closing, a man later identified as Grandison entered the store, opened the cash register and stole £830 before running away. The report stated it appeared he used a tool “to slide into the top of the drawer and pop the latch.”
Grandison was seen on surveillance video wearing a hospital mask, as well as a purple jacket with a yellow stripe. Four days later, another incident took place around 8 p.m. as the restaurant was closing. According to the report, Mercado finished counting the register and placed money on the counter in a clear zip lock bag.
The report stated Grandison — who was wearing the same outfit — snuck inside the restaurant and attempted to snatch the money bag as he was holding a knife in a threatening manner. According to the report, Mercado was able to grab the money bag before Grandison. She also grabbed the metal receipt spike and stabbed at him several times.
I felt really scared,” Mercado said. “The only thing was take that and defend myself.” Another employee hurried from the kitchen to the front and tried to throw hot water on Grandison. The report states he got away, although without any money.
Two days later, deputies were again called to the restaurant for a man matching the suspect description hiding behind a neighboring building next to the restaurant. According to the report, deputies arrived and arrested Grandison in a nearby lot. He was wearing the same purple jacket with a yellow stripe seen in the other incidents.
Deputies also located a pocket knife, a hospital mask and a key to the restaurant’s cash register. Grandison is now being held in Escambia County Jail on £40,000 bond. Still, Mercado said she’s struggling to retain staff over the continuous break-ins.
She said the holidays haven’t been the best for business, and even more now, she’s concerned how the recent incidents will impact her customer base and staff. My ladies say they want to quit because they’re scared and don’t want to face another knife,” Mercado said. “What I’ve learned is that people are desperate to get the easy money at this time. It’s not fair.
It’s not fair. It’s frustrating for us.” Mercado said she knows the road ahead may not be easy, but she warned anyone else in the future that her resiliency will prevail.
“He thinks we’re just ladies here, no man.
He thinks we’re fragile, but we’re not,” she said. “I mean I fought back last time.”