Austin Police Investigate Stolen BBQ Food Truck Incident

News Summary

Austin is grappling with a distressing theft as a BBQ food truck trailer belonging to deaf business owner Roz Lotz was stolen on December 26, 2024. The incident occurred at Ghostline Kitchens, leaving Lotz in a tough financial bind as his business is heavily reliant on the trailer. Surveillance footage has been shared with authorities, and the community is rallying to support Lotz through a GoFundMe campaign as police investigate the theft.

Austin Police on the Hunt for Stolen BBQ Food Truck

In a twist of unfortunate events, Austin is currently facing a troubling theft that has left one local business owner in a terrible predicament. On December 26, 2024, between 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., a BBQ food truck trailer was stolen right from the parking lot of Ghostline Kitchens located in the 3400 block of Comsouth Drive. The food truck belonged to Roz Lotz, a determined deaf business owner who has put in years of blood, sweat, and tears to get his BBQ business off the ground.

Timeline of the Incident

Surveillance footage revealed the brazen activities of the two suspects, who were seen casing the parking lot before making their daring move. They drove an early 2000s dark green metallic Ford F-150 to latch and haul away the “Lotz of BBQ” trailer, undoubtedly an eye-catching sight for anyone nearby.

Impact on the Business Owner

For Lotz, the loss of his food truck represents more than just a vehicle; it is the cornerstone of his livelihood. After a decade of hard work, juggling two jobs for seven days a week, he was finally able to invest in his dream. The stolen equipment, including cookers and other vital tools, is valued at about $15,000. To add to the distress, he discovered that not all of this equipment was covered by his insurance—leaving him in a challenging financial situation.

Upon realizing his beloved food truck was gone, Lotz felt a mix of emotions, including depression and simply being at a loss for words. He had events lined up that now have to be canceled, disrupting his plans and income. Just days prior to the food truck incident, he also faced the theft of two generators, compounding his recent struggles.

Community and Support

The folks over at Ghostline Kitchens have shown their support by pausing Lotz’s billing during this tough time, understanding the financial burden this robbery has placed on him. They even provided the surveillance footage to local authorities in hopes of aiding in the recovery of the stolen trailer.

In light of this unfortunate situation, Roz Lotz has turned to the community for support. He has set up a GoFundMe page where people can contribute to help his family during this challenging time and to assist him in recovering from the financial losses incurred due to the robbery.

Call for Help

The Austin Police Department’s Auto Theft unit has been alerted and is encouraging anyone who might have information regarding this incident to reach out. They can be contacted at (512) 974-5265. There’s even a chance for someone to earn a reward of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest related to the case. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program.

Taking Action

The community of Austin is known for its supportiveness, and this situation has proven to be no different. A theft like this could happen to anyone, and it’s crucial for the public to come together to help a local business owner who has invested so much into his passion. Whether through spreading awareness or pooling resources to assist, every little bit counts as Lotz works to rebuild his dream.

We hope that the stolen BBQ trailer is recovered soon, and that Roz Lotz can return to serving up delicious BBQ for everyone to enjoy. So if you see anything suspicious or have any information, don’t hesitate to speak up and help make Austin a safe place for all its business owners!