The popular Culver City restaurant is closing its doors due to increasing crime in the area

A popular Culver City restaurant has decided to close its doors after a series of crimes in the area cost the restaurant tens of thousands of dollars.

Walther Adrianzen started Ceviche Shop as a food truck, but its success allowed him to open a storefront three years ago at the corner of La Cienega Boulevard and Washington Boulevard.

Despite the continued success, Adrianzen says crime is pushing his business out of Culver City and possibly moving it elsewhere in the Southland.

“You know, four robberies in one year. If we add those up, we probably lost $30,000,” he recalled, noting that the crimes weren’t even the worst problem he faced. “A homeless man hit me over the head with a tequila bottle. They almost killed me, but because I wasn’t killed, being a felon wasn’t such a big crime.”

The recent problem that happened with customers inside is the reason he’s closing the doors for good.

“A homeless man came and then he threw a rock into the window,” he said, showing the broken glass.

He says he would like to continue pursuing his passion of bringing Peruvian food to the people of Los Angeles, but that might involve a nearly hour-long move to La Puente.

Police data from 2022 to 2024 shows burglaries at businesses in Culver City are declining, with the department attributing that to increased patrols in high-traffic areas, but Adrianzen says despite that report, the situation appears to be getting worse.

Nevertheless, he doesn’t let the move get him down.

“My wife and I will come back stronger,” he said.