Elk Grove Bookstore A Seat at the Table Hit in 90-Second Burglary, Police Search for 2 Suspects
An Elk Grove bookstore known as a community hub is asking for support after burglars broke in early Sunday morning. Local reporting says A Seat at the Table Books was hit in a burglary that lasted about 90 seconds, and police are still searching for the suspects.
What happened
According to KCRA and ABC10, the burglary happened early Sunday at A Seat at the Table Books in the 9000 block of Laguna Springs Drive in Elk Grove. Elk Grove police told KCRA they received the call at about 5:44 a.m., and surveillance footage showed two suspects inside the store. KCRA reported the suspects left with a cash drawer and a computer monitor, while ABC10 described it as a 90-second burglary.
A KCRA on-air report added more detail from a store employee, who said someone got into a lock box with an extra key, let themselves into the store, and triggered the alarm. The employee also said the burglars damaged the receiving desk/back office area while looking for easy grabs, but that the store’s inventory was left unharmed.
What we know right now
The bookstore posted publicly after the burglary that it woke up to an alarm alert and found people had taken the cash boxes and searched the back office. The store asked the community to show support and said customers who stopped by and asked would get a free small coffee. KCRA also reported the store planned to handle only credit card purchases or exact change until it figured out how to replace the stolen cash setup.
As of the latest reporting I could verify, no arrests had been announced and the suspects were still being sought. A KCRA social post said anyone with information should contact the Elk Grove Police Department Detective Bureau at (916) 478-8043.
Why this story is getting attention
Part of the reason this story is spreading is because A Seat at the Table is not just another retail shop. Public business pages describe it as an inclusive, family-owned bookstore, café, and community hub in Elk Grove, and its LinkedIn page says it was founded in 2020. Bookshop describes it as Elk Grove’s family-owned bookstore, café, and community hub, while CBS Sacramento recently spotlighted the store as a place with a mission that goes beyond selling books.
The store has also received major local recognition before. ABC10 previously reported that A Seat at the Table Books won its inaugural We Stand For You Business of the Year award, which helps explain why a burglary there quickly drew a strong public reaction.
How the community responded
One of the biggest angles in this story is how fast the community seemed to rally around the bookstore. In a public LinkedIn post after the break-in, the store said people showed up in the comments, shopped online, told friends, and came into the store in a big way after news of the burglary spread. That response lines up with how the business has positioned itself publicly for years: less like a standard bookstore and more like a community “third space.”
What has not been released
As of the latest public reporting I could verify, police had not publicly released the suspects’ names, ages, a suspect description detailed enough for publication, or any arrest update tied to this case. I also did not find a public police statement saying books or inventory were stolen; the clearest reporting instead points to the cash drawer, computer equipment, and damage in the office area.
Final takeaway
What is confirmed right now is that two suspects were captured on surveillance during an early-morning burglary at A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, that the break-in happened fast, and that the store says the damage went beyond the theft itself because it hit a place many locals see as a community space. What is still missing are the suspects’ identities, any arrest announcement, and the full scope of the losses.
Quick Facts
Business hit: A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove.
Location: 9000 block of Laguna Springs Drive; public business listings show 9257 Laguna Springs Dr., Suite 130, Elk Grove.
Time police were called: About 5:44 a.m. Sunday.
Suspects seen: Two.
Reported timeline: About 90 seconds, per ABC10.
Items reported stolen: Cash drawer and computer monitor.
Store damage reported: Back office / receiving desk area.
Inventory/books harmed?: Store employee said inventory was left unharmed.
Tip line: Elk Grove Police Department Detective Bureau, (916) 478-8043.
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