Bakersfield market and carniceria combats constant theft

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ( KGET ) — Baker Street is a sanctuary for the homeless, but it’s also a nightmare for the market and carniceria operating on the corner of Baker and Eureka Streets.

“There are some good people that come in and shop all the time, I know them. They are nice, but there are some other people who come here to cause trouble,” said Abdulla, a worker at the Rainbow Market and Carniceria.

Abdulla has been working at the Rainbow Market & Carniceria for two years. He said the grocery store he runs with his brothers has the best produce, meats and kitchen…serving things like tortas since 1979.

He chose not to give his last name out of fear.

“Some people pull knives and so I have to defend myself of course. They want to fight you,” said Abdulla. “When I kick them out they basically, want to hold hands.”

Abdulla said he’s been giving away during Bakersfield’s heat wave, but he said they’re also stealing hundreds of dollars worth of groceries every month.

“I see some customers who basically, just come in, see the homeless and they just leave,” Abdulla said. “The solution is to make harsher punishments on theft.”

At the end of the day, Abdulla and his brothers will continue to provide quality groceries at cheap prices. They just hope they can keep the doors open and stay safe until harsher penalties are passed for theft.

“For me, I can’t even help them anymore because the amount of people who threaten me or just shoplift all the time, just give me that distrust,” said Abdulla. “For the people that help, you know keep continue helping, but help the right people.”

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