Kissimmee Asian restaurants burglarized, arrest made

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The front windows and door outside Osaka Japanese Steak House in Kissimmee are boarded up after police said someone broke in and stole $120 Sunday night.

The owner, Bikwah Wong, said that when she arrived Monday morning, she saw Kissimmee police and her front door smashed in.

"I've been here 27 years. Never, never [has this] happened," Wong said.

"All my customers, they all know us," Wong said. "Kissimmee people know us, and to do that it's just really sick."

Pictures of the damage show broken glass and the cash register empty.

Wong said the cost of fixing the damage to the restaurant is more than what was stolen from the cash register.

Kissimmee police said that there have been several other Asian restaurants broken into in recent days, and are investigating to see if all the cases are related.

Police said they arrested John Scalise, 39, while he was attempting to break into New China Restaurant located on East Vine Street. Investigators said Scalise was wearing a mask.

Law enforcement said China Bell on West Vine Street was also broken into.

It's unclear if Scalise was involved in the other break-ins.

"I hope he got caught, you know. Get justice, and hope nothing like that happens again," said Wong.

Kissimmee Police are still investigating the recent target of Asian restaurants in Osceola County. 


About the Author:

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.