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!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- KVUE News
- Google Search: Lotz of BBQ Austin theft
- Houston Chronicle
- Google News: Lotz of BBQ Theft Austin
- KXAN News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: BBQ Austin
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google Scholar: BBQ Food Truck Theft
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
