The incident occurred earlier this week at a popular eatery in [City Name], where staff reported the sudden disappearance of their outdoor generator. Security footage later revealed a man sneaking onto the property under the cover of night, unhooking the generator, and wheeling it away.
Restaurant owner [Owner’s Name] described the theft as frustrating but not unusual, citing the rising frequency of petty crimes in the area. “It was disappointing,” he said. “We rely on that generator, especially during power outages.”
But the story took a strange turn just two days later, when the alleged thief walked back into the restaurant in broad daylight and placed an order—seemingly unaware of the multiple security cameras and the staff who had already seen his image circulated internally.
“It was surreal,” one employee recalled. “As soon as he sat down, we recognized him. We played it cool, served his food, and called the police.”
Authorities arrived before the man could finish his meal. He was arrested without incident and is now facing charges of theft and trespassing.
When questioned by officers, the suspect allegedly claimed he didn’t think anyone would recognize him and was “just hungry.”
Police described the case as a reminder that some criminals aren’t masterminds. “In this situation, the suspect practically turned himself in,” said [Police Officer’s Name], who responded to the call. “We always advise business owners to report thefts immediately and make use of surveillance whenever possible.”
As for the restaurant, the stolen generator was not recovered, but the owner is hopeful the arrest will lead to its return.
“We’re just glad the guy was caught,” said the owner. “And the irony? He ended up paying for that meal—just not in the way he
expected.”
