Business Owner Forced to Play Detective After Burglary
Ankit Vaghela never imagined he’d become a private investigator, but that’s exactly what happened after his popular Southampton restaurant was burglarized and police response was delayed.
The owner of ‘Padharo’, a beloved vegetarian restaurant on East Street, discovered his business had been broken into, with thieves making off with expensive alcohol bottles and cash from the register. What should have been a straightforward police matter turned into a personal investigation when the emergency response fell short of expectations.
When 999 Isn’t Enough
After dialing 999, Vaghela was told to email CCTV footage to police rather than expecting an immediate response. Faced with a damaged business and no immediate law enforcement assistance, the determined restaurant owner decided to conduct his own investigation.
“It was very heartbreaking to be told that officers would be able to review the damage in three to five working days and that no forensics was available at the time,” Vaghela explained.
The Investigation Pays Off
Taking matters into his own hands proved successful. By retracing the intruders’ likely escape route, Vaghela discovered his broken cash register abandoned on a nearby road, along with several smashed liquor bottles the thieves had apparently dropped during their getaway.
The discovery came at a crucial time for the business, which couldn’t afford to remain closed while waiting for official investigation procedures to begin.
A Pattern of Trouble
This wasn’t the first time Padharo had been targeted. The restaurant suffered another break-in exactly one year earlier, though that previous intruder left empty-handed. The repeat incident has raised concerns about security in Southampton’s city center, where other businesses have reportedly faced similar attacks.
“It is extremely worrying and a safety concern as other businesses in the city center have been similarly targeted,” Vaghela noted. “But we have to trust the process and hope for justice.”
Resilience in Action
Despite the setback, Padharo’s team showed remarkable determination. With glass scattered throughout the restaurant and no functioning cash register, they worked to clean up and restore operations quickly.
“There was glass everywhere. As a business, we can’t afford to remain closed and had to get things cleaned up and the glass fixed,” Vaghela said. “We are still struggling to operate smoothly without a proper cash register, which will take time, but are determined to welcome our guests with the same level of service we are known for in the city.”
Celebrity Timing and Community Support
The timing of the break-in was particularly unfortunate. Just days before the incident, the award-winning restaurant had hosted members of the Indian women’s cricket team, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who were in Southampton for an ODI match against England.
The restaurant is also approaching a milestone, with their fourth anniversary celebration planned for later this month.
Turning to social media for community support, Padharo posted: “Please be extra vigilant. We would hate for anyone else to go through this. But we are determined. We’ve spent the time cleaning up the mess, and we are back open. We refuse to let this define us. Now, more than ever, we’re relying on our wonderful community.”
Official Response
Hampshire Police confirmed they are investigating the case and defended their response protocol. In a statement, they said they did not “underestimate” the impact on victims, explaining: “On this occasion, based on the initial information we were given regarding the offenders no longer being at the scene, our investigation could get underway without any immediate attendance.”
The case highlights ongoing debates about police response times and resource allocation for property crimes, while showcasing one business owner’s refusal to let criminal activity derail his entrepreneurial dreams.
