1-person crime scene in Shadyside’s Walnut Street business district

Pete.

Police said a man committed half a dozen assaults and robberies.

The brawl started early Wednesday morning with a stone thrown through the window of Angela’s Cafe. Cook Richard Kruse walks through the broken glass and discovers the cash register is missing as he enters work.

“I think it’s the testing process,” Kruse said. “And then last night was more of an adventure.”

By Friday morning, half a dozen other businesses — including Dina Ellen, The Bare Code and Maureen Staley’s Picket Fence — had made the same discovery.

“The glass in the front door was shattered all over the sidewalk and the store,” Staley said. “I saw some merchandise thrown on the floor of the store. The computer was thrown, and I realized they took the cash drawer.”

The thief is seen doing it on video by hitting up the kawaii gifts. The thief can be seen on video hitting other stores as well, but the video’s value to investigators may be limited because he appears to be wearing a hoodie.

“It’s tough,” Staley said. “But it’s a very safe neighborhood. We haven’t had many issues, so it’s shocking that this happened.”

Staley’s empty cash drawer with some receipts was found several blocks away. About $100 was taken from the drawer.

Crousey said these days are already tough.

“It’s very sad,” Kruse said. “The businesses this guy robbed were small businesses.”

All the businesses have closed their doors and are ready for the busy weekend ahead.