Tacoma Food Truck Heist: A Setback for Local BBQ Business

Terry Hayes, owner of The Man BBQ, was left in shock after returning from a vacation to find his food truck stolen. The theft occurred in broad daylight outside the Dryer Masonic Center on 134th Street in Tacoma on October 22. Surveillance footage shows two thieves arriving in a white truck, quickly breaking into the food truck, and driving away with it within minutes. This is not the first setback for Hayes. Months earlier, a fire destroyed his food prep kitchen, causing $30, 000 worth of damage. The food truck itself was valued at around $50, 000, with tens of thousands more in equipment inside. Hayes has filed an insurance claim but isn't sure if it will cover the entire loss, including the revenue he's missing out on each month. The stolen food truck isn't just a business loss; it also affects Hayes' charitable work. He often uses his food truck to feed the homeless in the community. Betty Brown, a regular customer, expressed her disappointment, noting that Hayes does a lot of good and this theft is part of a larger problem in the area. Despite the setbacks, Hayes, an army veteran, remains determined. "You want to give up, but if you do, you've lost forever, " he said. "So, I keep moving forward. " The Pierce County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case, but details about the thieves are still unknown.