RENTON, Wash. — Renton police have released new surveillance video of an attempted burglary that happened days before a beloved Renton grocery was intentionally set on fire.
Now, some Renton businesses are planning a fundraiser to help Top of the Hill Quality Produce & Meats rebuild.
"It's just pure evil. I just hope that this person is caught, and that justice is served," said Karen Rafchiek, the owner of Four Corners Merchants.
The longtime local grocery store, that used to serve many, is now shutdown.
"Shocked and really sad because we shop there,” said Rafchiek. “A lot of the local community do shop there. It's a neighborhood store and I can understand and relate to that because I'm a little neighborhood store too."
Rafchiek, the owner of Four Corners Merchants in south Renton, is still in disbelief.
"It's so sad that people would destroy somebody's livelihood in that manner,” said Rafchiek.
Renton police said just two days before the arson, surveillance video caught a man in his mid-20s or 30s at the store around 11 p.m. Thursday night.
Police said he was there for about an hour, repeatedly going to his jeep to get burglary tools, and returning to the store. The store's door and lock were significantly damaged, but police say he couldn't get in.
Renton businesses are rallying to help support the grocery store's team.
"It's not about our business,” said Rafchiek. “It's about helping and giving back to Top of the Hill."
Rafchiek's business, along with the Red Team Room, La Crema Patisserie and C. Davis Texas BBQ food truck are hosting a fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, just outside her store in the parking lot off 140th Avenue.
She said all the proceeds are going toward rebuilding this beloved grocery store.
"The community is coming together to just love on them,” said Rafchiek. “I think they need that more than anything right now."
If you have any information on the suspect or have any information or video from the Top of the Hill area, you’re asked to contact Detective Scott at dlscott@rentonwa.gov.