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Austin Police Seek Barbecue Bandits After Food Truck Theft

Community members supporting a food truck owner in Austin

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News Summary

The beloved Austin food truck trailer ‘Lotz of BBQ’ was stolen in broad daylight shortly after Christmas. The local community bands together to help the owners cope with the heartbreaking loss while police seek public assistance to recover the trailer.

Austin Police on the Hunt for Barbecue Bandits!

In a heart-wrenching turn of events just after the holiday season, Austin residents were shocked to learn about the theft of a beloved barbecue food truck trailer. The trailer, affectionately named “Lotz of BBQ”, vanished from its spot at the 3400 block of Comsouth Drive in southeast Austin on Thursday, December 26. This incident unfolded in a mere 15 minutes, between 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., leaving the community rallying together for answers.

Grabbed in Broad Daylight

Surveillance footage captured a dark green metallic Ford F-150 truck, marked as an early 2000s model with distinctive gold or tan accents, as it maneuvered into the parking lot. Two men were seen casually surveying the area before making their move and latched onto the food truck trailer, hauling it away with a quickness that has left many scratching their heads.

A Dream Gone Awry

The owner of the cherished food trailer, Roy Lotz, put his heart and soul into building this barbecue dream, which, as he shared, hasn’t been the most profitable venture. Lotz, who is deaf, expressed the emotional weight of this loss, particularly striking as it happened the day after Christmas— a time usually filled with joy and festivities. In fact, prior to this disturbing incident, Lotz had already suffered another setback when two of his generators were stolen. This unfortunate string of events has thrown a shadow over a business he worked so hard to establish.

A Heartfelt Community Response

The stolen trailer was carrying around an astonishing $15,000 worth of cooking equipment, cookware, and other necessary items for Lotz’s food truck operations. Sadly, this amount isn’t covered by his insurance, leaving him in quite the bind. Following the theft, Lotz has had to cancel events integral to his income, further compounding his troubles.

Feeling the impact of this situation deeply, the Austin community has jumped into action. Friends, family, and locals have rallied around Lotz by creating a GoFundMe page to provide some much-needed support for him and his family during this challenging period. It’s heartwarming to see the community come together, proving that the spirit of Austin is strong and united.

Help from the Public is Crucial

In a bid to recover the stolen trailer and bring those responsible to justice, Austin police have reached out to the public for assistance. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Auto Theft unit at (512) 974-5265. They also offer anonymity through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program, where tips can be submitted at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.

Reward for Information

To sweeten the deal, a reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest. This incentive aims to motivate individuals who might have seen something unusual during that fateful day to step forward.

A Community with a Heart

The need for community involvement is echoed louder than ever. It’s clear that Austin cares deeply about its local businesses, and for Lotz, the whole barbecue food truck scene is not just about food but dreams and aspirations. Residents are hopeful that through collective effort, the stolen trailer will find its way back home, nestled again in the heart of the Austin food scene where it belongs.

If you’ve got any leads or tips, don’t hesitate to reach out. After all, it’s in times like these that the strength and warmth of a community truly shine!