Burglary captured on camera, alarm code points to former manager
Dino Palmiotto, who owns the gentlemen’s club Expose in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood of San Diego, released footage showing a masked suspect breaking into the establishment around 5 a.m. The suspect can be seen kicking the door multiple times before entering. Once inside, the video shows the individual moving directly to the room housing the safe. The thief made off with $25,300 in one-dollar bills, Palmiotto confirmed.
“He knew exactly where to go,” Palmiotto told FOX 5. He also noted the suspect was on the phone with someone during the burglary. Every staff member with access to the safe has a personal code, the owner explained. While Palmiotto said he did not recognize the thief, the alarm code used to disarm the system was previously linked to a former manager of the club.
“The alarm system went off, so the alarm company contacted me,” Palmiotto said. “We went ahead and dispatched, and the reason why we dispatched was because a former employee that used to work here, his alarm code was used.”
The owner, a former Marine, emphasized the seriousness of the breach. “As a small business owner and former Marine, there would be no way that we can let this go. We’ve got to stop these people,” he added.
Owner pursues legal action, ramps up security
Palmiotto told The California Post that he is seeking both criminal and civil charges against the former manager who, according to the owner, provided the alarm, office, and safe codes used in the burglary. In the wake of the theft, Palmiotto has taken steps to increase security at the club. He is also offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The owner noted that the response from the community has been supportive.
The burglary highlights vulnerabilities that small businesses face, especially those that handle large sums of cash. The club’s reliance on single-dollar bills for its operations meant the thief made off with a heavy, bulky haul. The incident also underscores how internal knowledge of security systems can be exploited, turning former employees into potential threats.
Broader California context: a state of scale and challenges
California, the third-largest state by area and the most populous in the nation, has an economy that ranks among the largest in the world if considered independently. Its geography is remarkably varied, spanning coastal cities like San Diego, mountain ranges, fertile valleys, and deserts. The state also faces significant seismic activity, with much of the nation’s earthquake risk concentrated there.
Before European contact, the region was home to a rich diversity of Native American cultures and languages. Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, followed by colonization by the Spanish Empire. After Mexico’s war for independence, California became part of Mexico in 1821 before being conquered by the United States during the Mexican-American War. It was ceded to the U.S. in 1848, the same year the gold rush began, sparking a massive influx of people and profound social changes. California was admitted as the 31st state in 1850.
Today, California’s size and economic activity draw a diverse population, creating both opportunities and challenges. Crimes, even unusual ones like the burglary in Kearny Mesa, occur within this broader context of bustling commerce and the ongoing need for security and law enforcement across a dynamic state. The incident in San Diego may appear local, but it is part of a larger California narrative where dense urban centers, varied geography, and complex social fabric shape daily life and the risks businesses must manage.
For Palmiotto, the theft is not just a financial hit but a violation of trust. The former manager’s alleged involvement turns what could be a simple burglary into a case of betrayal, and the owner’s determination to pursue charges reflects a commitment to holding individuals accountable, regardless of their past association with the club.
