INDIANAPOLIS -- Police met with about 30 concerned Hispanic business owners Wednesday morning about the recent armed robberies of Mexican restaurants on the city's west side.
RELATED | Robbers target Mexican restaurants on Indy's west side
"The meeting was very productive, very good, we get good tips. We are joining hands to protect ourselves and them to protect us from these kind of things," Daniel Ruiz said.
Those kind of things involve heavily armed bandits, including at least one with an assault rifle, storming into a Mexican restaurant and shaking down customers, and staff.
They did the same at a grocery store six days later. Three of the suspects had handguns.
Some store owners admitted they were reluctant to call police sometimes, because they thought they would have to pay a fee like they do in their homeland.
"The experiences that they have with police and government is completely different than what we have here. It is important to let them know how things work here. Calling 911, letting them know they aren't going to be charged," Officer Rafael Diaz said.
Tacos 46 on 30th and High School Road has not been robbed, but the owners there were at the meeting to gather information they hope will keep them safe, and crime free.
"I want to say thank you to the police department and think they are gonna help," Jonathan Rodriguez said.
Police have not made any arrests in the takeover-style restaurant robberies that happened last month.
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