A thief attempted to prepare an early morning meal after gaining entry to a well-known Nottingham café in what owners describe as the latest in a series of break-ins affecting independent traders.
Sunday typically ranks among the busiest trading days for Warsaw Diner.
The intruder accessed a walk-in refrigeration unit at the back of the establishment on Derby Road and helped himself to bacon and sausages, according to proprietor George Broniewski.
He entered the rear kitchen area and opened the walk-in fridge, which sets off an alert when its temperature rises. The burglar wrenched the entire unit from the wall, apparently frustrated by this, before attempting to prepare some food. He removed various items and placed pans on the hob, but his efforts came to nothing because the gas supply is shut off each evening at the source.
Having failed in his culinary ambitions, the individual then wrecked the American-style restaurant, which has been operated by George’s spouse Teresa for nearly a quarter of a century. He left with a carrier bag containing sausages and a small sum of money from the cash drawer, which had been secured but was subsequently forced open.
The break-in occurred in the early hours of Sunday, July 27, shortly after 1:10am. Staff arriving for their morning duties made the discovery.
The culprit employed a sizeable brick to shatter a side window, having first transported a wheelie bin and a piece of board from the vacant Ropewalk establishment several premises away. These items served as a screen while he forced entry, concealing him from passers-by.
The damaged window has since been temporarily covered with boarding and will be repaired once insurers have been notified.
The incident forced the closure of the venue on what is traditionally one of its busiest days of the week. With the hospitality sector already facing considerable challenges, Mr Broniewski noted this was a problem they could well have done without.
Normal trading was expected to resume on Tuesday, July 28.
The occurrence marks the most recent in a spate of incidents targeting independently-owned neighbourhood enterprises.
Ăn Đê, a Vietnamese eatery situated on Chapel Bar, was broken into on April 15 at 3:20am. The perpetrator positioned a wheelie bin before the entrance to obscure his activities. Personal electronic devices and currency were taken alongside damage to fixtures.
Less than two hours subsequently on the same morning, Loose Ends also fell victim at 5am. The wrongdoer smashed his way into the cocktail establishment on Friar Lane.
Rotari Bakes on Carrington Street experienced its fourth intrusion within a two-year period on July 1 at 12:20am. A modest sum of cash was removed and the interior of the sandwich and cake outlet sustained damage.
Pizzamisu, a pizzeria in High Pavement, suffered a break-in on July 4, with alcoholic beverages and a cash float among the items stolen.
Tapas venue La Zenia, located in Mapperley, had property taken and suffered damage in mid-July.
Nottinghamshire Police indicated there is no evidence connecting these occurrences.
A force representative stated that officers attended the scene and that forensic examination together with comprehensive CCTV analysis is underway as part of initial inquiries.
Those with relevant information have been asked to contact police on 101, referencing incident number 151 of July 26, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously via the dedicated hotline.