It was business as usual for a Crescent Beach resident Monday, despite suffering a heart attack just days earlier, when his business was targeted by potential thieves who used a stolen truck to crash through its doors.

Joe Martino was bustling behind the gelato counter of his business, Martino鈥檚 Cappucino & Coffee Bar, with customers enjoying coffees inside as well as wandering in from outside, with an 鈥榦pen鈥� sign attached to the boarded-up entrance that was destroyed by the would-be thieves in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 31.

鈥淚鈥檝e got to work. I鈥檝e got to run my business,鈥� Martino said.

He was only in the hospital for two days.

On the counter behind the till, there are still bouquets of flowers from friends, family and community members wishing him good health and speedy recovery, while others have been calling as well, after they heard the news, Martino said.

READ MORE:

His was one of several businesses targeted in South Surrey recently; in all of the incidents, a vehicle was driven into a business to gain access, with the majority happening between 3:20 and 4:50 a.m., according to police.

A stolen truck that was used to back into the business was seized at the scene.

Nothing was taken, Martino said, but an ATM machine near the doorway was believed to have been the target.

Martino recalls how the collision 鈥� and the noise it made 鈥� woke him up, as he lives above the store.

He called the police right away.

鈥淚 thought a drunk driver had hit (the building),鈥� he confessed.

He shook his head at the damage, now boarded up, but still highly visible.

鈥淚鈥檝e been in business for 59 years and I鈥檝e never had any problems, ever,鈥� he said, noting that he鈥檚 owned businesses in several locations, including Hastings and Davie streets in Vancouver.

He鈥檚 had the current Crescent Beach business for more than 30 years.

鈥淚鈥檓 85 years old. I鈥檝e never had any problems like this before now. Never.鈥�

Police believe that the recent incidents are likely related because of the similar nature of the offences and geographical locations where they took place.

However, further evidence is required to conclusively link the occurrences.