The owner of a restaurant in Ansonia is asking for the public’s help to identify a burglar who stole a flat-screen television from the business early Tuesday.
The thief was captured on a surveillance camera inside the restaurant — Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen at 557 Wakelee Ave.
To see, click the play button on the video above, emailed to the Valley Indy by Molto Bene owner Drew Pickering, and shared on social media.
“Anyone know this scumbag that ran in and stole the 50” Samsung off the wall in the lounge last night at 12:52 a.m.,” Molto Bene asked on its Facebook page Tuesday. “TIS THE SEASON to give stolen gifts to your loved ones!”
The details of the theft suggest the burglar knew his way around the business.
“He knew the place,” the restaurant posted in a comment. “Walked in pulled the TV and was gone in 30 seconds.”
Pickering said Tuesday afternoon he suspects the thief may have gone into in a back room of the restaurant before closing time Monday night, then hidden out there as Pickering set the alarm for the night and left.
“It was so nonchalant,” Pickering said. “He had to have either been here at the end of the day or been here before.”
Nothing else was taken from the restaurant, Pickering said.
Article continues after a still shot taken from the video.
Though Pickering said neither he nor employees recognize the thief, he suspects the man has some prior knowledge of the business, or at least its layout.
“He put his hoodie up and there’s a camera right where he put the hoodie up,” Pickering said. “He kind of knew that camera was right there.”
Another camera in the restaurant’s lounge was the only one that picked up a somewhat clear image of the TV thief.
Pickering said he has insurance — and spare TVs — but was just irked that someone would resort to stealing from a restaurant that hosts dozens of charity events every year.
“We give so much stuff away,” he said. “We’ve had close to $100,000 raised in charity events we’ve done where people raise money. We donate the place and try to help out the Valley as much as we can.”
Pickering said he reported the break-in to Ansonia police, and asked that anyone who recognizes the thief report the information to cops.
Ansonia Police Lt. Andrew Cota said Tuesday that police are investigating the burglary. He said anyone with information should call the police department at 203 – 735-1885.