Café owner shaken after attempted break-in while she was sleeping inside New Westminster business

A New Westminster cafe owner is counting her blessings after an attempted break-in that could have turned out much worse.

A New Westminster café owner is speaking out after a frightening attempted break-in early Thursday morning that left both physical damage and lasting emotional scars.

The front door of You N Me Café on 12th Street was shattered around 2:15 a.m., as someone tried to force their way inside, unaware owner Amrin Satani was asleep in the building.

Satani says she was suddenly jolted awake by a loud crash, at first unsure what was happening. Moments later, she realized someone dressed in all black was trying to get inside.

Her reaction, she says, was immediate.

“I only remember getting scared and crying,” she says. “It was a crying scream.”

Satani believes that scream may have stopped the break-in before it escalated further. She says the suspect ran off shortly afterward.

While the broken glass and damage to the storefront can be repaired, Satani says the emotional impact has been far more difficult to process.

“The fact that I saw that person live in front of me, just a few steps away from where I was standing, like that is, it is a big trauma,” she says.

New Westminster police say officers responded within minutes, securing the scene and bringing in a canine unit to search the surrounding area.

Despite those efforts, Sgt. Andrew Leaver says no suspect was found.

“When our officers arrived on the scene, they contained the area and the canine unit also attended, so they were able to canvas the area,” Leaver says. “Unfortunately, they didn’t locate a suspect, but there is some follow-up investigation happening. We’re hoping to advance the investigation, but we’re in the early stages right now.”

Police say the investigation remains ongoing.

In the hours after the incident, Satani shared video of the damage on social media, both to document what happened and to warn other small business owners in the area. She says she’s since been overwhelmed by support from customers and neighbours in the community.

Police are now asking anyone with information about the attempted break-in to come forward.