A popular Albuquerque restaurant has been forced to close temporarily because of damage caused by thieves who broke into the establishment to steal copper wiring.

Two of the copper lines at the Golden Pride on Central near Eubank were stolen last week, forcing the business to close for repairs, according to KRQE News. Thieves probably sold the copper for a few hundred dollars, while the restaurant, among the most popular in the franchise, will lose thousands because of the closure.

“It’s been a very difficult time and very sad (that) we have a violent and criminal element in the city to continue to do this to businesses and probably to private citizens,” owner Larry Rainosek told KRQE News.

Employees have been relocated to other stores in the restaurant chain so they don’t lose their income. But dealing with thieves and an unexpected theft after weathering the impact of COVID-19 has been overwhelming for the owners who thought the worst was behind them.

Rainosek said the restaurant had to move all refrigerated food and frozen food due to a loss of power. It took two semitrucks to move all the food. “A headache” is how Rainosek described it.

The owners are contemplating replacing their copper wire with aluminum to deter thieves in the future, but the cost could reach $35,000.