Owner Reacts after Tyler Restaurant Is Burglarized

TYLER � Saturday morning a woman found her Tyler restaurant burglarized. Arletha Westley is the owner of Annie Mae’s Soul Food Restaurant, off Frankston Highway and Old Noonday Road. “Hey, we’re all working trying to make it,” Westley told KETK. We all put a lot into this business, and I don’t want anyone to rob me or anyone else.”

Westley works hard for her money. Her business is built on family tradition and a love for serving others. “I’ve always had a compassion for helping others because I feel like I’m here today because others have helped me from a child on up. My parents taught us how to help one another, even if we had one dollar, maybe try to share a quarter with someone else,” said Westley. It broke her heart Saturday to find her restaurant burglarized with $50 missing from the cash register. “When I entered, the register was laying up. It was taken apart and the money, currency tray, was laying separate. So they didn’t take the time to place it back in,” said Westley.

Tyler police searched the building and checked for fingerprints. The biggest sign of intrusion was a broken window and a rock found inside the building. Shattered glass was on the floor. The burglars took more than just money. They stole a woman’s sense of safety. “I feel a little threatened by all means. I’m beginning a concealed handgun class as of next month, so maybe I’ll feel a little bit more comfortable at that time,” said Westley. She said she just wants justice. “I hope that the crime here stops. I really do, and I pray that people seek Jesus,” said Westley. The burglary isn’t stopping her from helping others. She said she plans to start feeding the homeless once a month at her restaurant.