Jacksonville Police Searching For Barbecue Bandit Who Stole $4,000 From Jerome Brown BBQ

Police are searching for a man who allegedly burglarized a local restaurant in Jacksonville, Jerome Brown BBQ, and took off with roughly $4,000 worth of food and supplies.

The owner of the establishment, Jerome Brown, was quoted by News 4 Jax as having said that the bandit stole the barbecue joint’s “cash register” as well as all of the ribs, chicken, wings, and oil.

“They tore out my cash register and took all the ribs, the chicken, all the wings, all the oil.”

Mr. Brown indicated that the robbery was the first time his business was hit this hard in the roughly 30 years the restaurant has been around.

Local law enforcement was called to the restaurant, which is located at 1551 W. Edgewood Avenue, after the owner realized that the place had been burglarized. In fact, so much of the food had been stolen that the restaurant was unable to open for lunch the morning after the robbery took place.

Authorities indicated that the robber broke into the business by prying open the side door of the building and once in, he stole $4,000 worth of fries, wings, chicken, ribs, and what’s alleged to have been an empty cash register. On that note, the owner indicated that one lesson he’s learned is to make it apparent to anyone peering through the windows that there’s no cash to steal.

“That’s what we have to make sure — whoever closes out will have the cash register open.”

Contradicting the press release issued by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, CBS WJAX-TV 47 reported that the robber “emptied the cash register.”

Surveillance footage of the suspected burglar has been released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Jerome indicated that he’s focused on building his business back up and that he hopes the culprit is apprehended by authorities. He had a message for thieves targeting businesses such as his.

“Stop, because you’re hurting people […] You’re hurting business.”

JSO requests anyone with information on the alleged thief’s identity contact them by calling 904-630-0500 or sending an e-mail to JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. An anonymous contact line was listed as Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. There is a possible reward of up to $3,000.

Inquisitr reported earlier that the world’s largest barbecue can cook 4 tons of meat and costs a whopping $350,000.

What are your thoughts on this sticky fingered Florida bandit with the audacity to steal an empty cash register and enough food to prevent the business from opening for lunch the following day?

[Image via JSO]