AUSTIN — The Austin Police Department said it got at least a dozen calls on the morning of Sept. 22 about different food trucks along South First Street being broken into. A few days later, they had a suspect in custody.
Police responded to 603 W. Live Oak Street around 8:48 a.m. Dan Schulman, the owner of South First Food Court, said four of the six food trucks on his property were burglarized. Police said two trucks had their locks cut but no entry had been made.
Police outlined the trucks as follows:
- Bananarchy: Entry made through the order window. An iPad Mini was reported stolen.
- Flavias Kitchen: The front window lock had been cut. The window was broken and money was reported stolen.
- Doggie Style: The back door of the trailer was damaged but not broken. The lock cover had been snapped off but no entry was made.
- Manolis: The front door latch securing the door handle was damaged. No entry made.
- TX Shawarma: Entry was made through the order window. A padlock was cut and money was reported stolen.
- Pastelaria Sao Paulo: The back door latch securing the door handle had been cut and entry was made. Money was reported stolen.
Police said the owner of Bananarchy provided video surveillance of the reported break-ins, in which the suspect can be seen carrying bolt cutters and climbing into their window around 2:40 a.m. He can also be seen taking the iPad and exiting through the back door. Police said he had identifying tattoos.
Additionally, police said several other food trucks reported burglaries within a short distance away. Conscious Cravings at 1311 S. First Street also provided surveillance video that appeared to show the same suspect.
On Sept. 26, police arrested a suspect for burglarizing two food trucks at 1800 Barton Springs Road. He was identified as 46-year-old Gabrielle Tyree Hyder, Police said he matched the suspect seen on the surveillance videos.
According to public records, Hyder has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1990, which includes 19 convictions for crimes like burglary, possession and criminal trespass.
“I hated to make that call because I did wake up everybody and tell them, ‘please come on down here,’” said Schulman. “Even if it was just a handle broken off their trailer, it is upsetting. And, in addition to that, like Doggie Style, they unplugged his trailer. Fortunately, it wasn't that long of time, but that's criminal mischief right there."
Schulman said the food trailers are “sitting ducks.”
“I mean, they're right out there,” said Schulman. “If somebody plans on breaking into something, they would probably rather break into a food trailer first than if they broke into a convenience store.”
Schulman said he plans on increasing security at the lot and encourages food truck owners to tighten security on their end as well.
“It is heartbreaking. Of course, the owner of that trailer might have to replace an iPad, they might have lost some petty cash, and they still have to pay people's salary,” said Schulman.