UPDATE: Cheese thief snatches up more than $5,000 of provolone
The owners of Do Drop Inn believes a cheese thief has snatched up $5,000-$7,000 of provolone from their refrigerator during the last month,
One month ago, restaurant owner Hoss Kashani ran out of cheese. His restaurant makes a lot of pizzas, and coined the local nickname the “pizza factory,” but the news still shocked the owner.
“Middle of the week I ran out cheese and I was like.” Oh my God,” said Kashani.
After some investigation, he realized the cheese had been stolen. Cheese continued to disappear throughout the month.
Do Drop Inn installed new locks and security cameras. Then on Tuesday, the thief returned and nearly cleared out the refrigerator. The cameras caught the criminal on camera examining the locks. Kashani says the thief used a stick or pole to push the camera up so it couldn’t see him loading all the cheese into the truck.
In total, Kashani says the thief stole more than 50 cases of cheese, amounting to almost 2,000 pounds of provolone. It will cost the restaurant $5,000 to $7,000.
“The impact is high. So we have to sell tons, tons of pizza to cover our loss,” said Kashani.
Kashani said the thief is likely selling his provolone cheese to food distributors or restaurants at the discounted rate.
“For one person, I don’t think one person can eat that many sub sandwiches. Or make that much pizza. In my opinion, this person is a buyer,” said Kashani. “I don’t know who is that person but it is not right.”
Lucas Topping works at a restaurant down the street. He said the news is concerning.
“It definitely raises suspicion,” said Topping.
Kashani released an image of the criminal on social media, hoping it will help capture the thief.
“A normal person doesn’t come to do that. I think that person is desperate, number one. Number two, they don’t respect anybody. They don’t respect society. They don’t respect the area we are in. In my opinion, they don’t respect themselves,” said Kashani.
Pueblo police confirm that they are investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 719-542-STOP (7867).
