A man armed with a pickaxe has vandalized multiple vending machines on campuses in the William S. Hart Union High School District, causing thousands of dollars in damages.

Just before Christmas, Lisa Burke, the owner of Santa Clarita Concessions fell victim to vandalism when a man armed with a pickaxe vandalized multiple vending machines at junior high and high schools, she said.

Image of the alleged vandal courtesy of Lisa Burke

“We got a call the day after Christmas that the vending machines at Sierra Vista Jr. High, Canyon High School, Saugus High School and La Mesa had been broken into,” Burke said.

The suspect was seen on surveillance footage using a pickaxe to damage the payment devices on the vending machines — which are in cages — to gain entry to the cash, according to Burke.

However, due to schools being on winter break, Burke said the only money that could have been stolen were quarters used for change.

On top of that, vending companies throughout the country, including Burke’s, have started to see a decline in cash payments and have seen a spike in cashless purchases, Burke said.

“In a lot of the machines, the bulk of purchases is from credit cards,” Burke said. “That mostly changed during COVID, that is when it made a significant change to being cashless.” 

Burke and her company worked quickly to repair the machines that were able to be fixed, however, within two weeks, the suspect returned to the campus once again to take another swing at gaining money.

West Ranch High School was the most recent school to fall victim to the vandalism, where seven machines were hit. These machines can now only receive card payments.

In total, 18 machines have been damaged, with 10 of them needing to be completely replaced, according to Burke.

This act of violence is not only affecting Burke and her company’s income, but the income of her employees.

Due to multiple machines being completely out-of-order, her full-time employee who keeps drinks and snacks stalked in the machines is now being forced to work part-time.

Since Burke’s Parents started Santa Clarita Concessions back in 1955 — making them the fourth oldest business in Santa Clarita — they have been very active in supporting local non-profits and giving back to the schools.

Santa Clarita Concessions provides vending machines and different coffee machines for break rooms in businesses throughout Santa Clarita.

“At the junior high and high schools that we service in Santa Clarita they have our vending machines,” Burke said. “The vandalism does not only affect us but the schools ASB, because we give back to the schools. If we don’t have business, they’re not getting money from us.”

Currently Burke is waiting for their insurance company to help with the damages, leaving certain schools without any food or drink vending machines.

Burke estimates that the pickaxe wielding man has cost her $75,000, however, the price will rise now that there is a lack of sales.

For the vending machines that need to be completely replaced, it will cost around $8,400 per machine, Burke said.

Detectives with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are aware of the vandalism and have launched an investigation.

“I want this guy to be caught and pay for what he has done because it has gone too far,” Burke said.

Anyone with information about who the suspect may be is encouraged to contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-260-4000.

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