Fort Collins Police are investigating the burglary of Old Town’s Choice City Butcher & Deli after a man was caught on tape possibly stealing the business’s cash box — and all of the deli’s weekend deposits — Sunday night.
Choice City owner Russ Robinson said he and his staff first noticed the money was gone Tuesday morning, when they were opening after being closed for a holiday party Monday.
Choice City, at 104 W. Olive St., has been open for 10 years, but installed security cameras just last month, Robinson said.
Checking the security footage from Sunday night, Robinson said he saw a person carrying the cash box through the kitchen. Fort Collins police spokeswoman Rita Davis said a man entered the shop at about 8:30 p.m. and exited with an undisclosed amount of money through the back door.
“Looking back, I noticed that the gentleman had come in right when we were closing (on Sunday) and was talking to one of the employees,” Robinson said, adding that the employee remembers the man and said he was inquiring about a job.
Robinson posted a photo of the man on Choice City’s Facebook page and said it’s gone “viral” among the Fort Collins community. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, 258 people had shared the link.
“It’s tough for a small business like mine,” Robinson said. “I depend on my weekends for a lot of money and to have it all stolen is just terrible.”
“It’s great that we live in a day and age that social media and technology can help police and people catch thieves,” he added.
Davis said police are investigating the burglary and anyone with information should contact officer Mark Cutter at (970) 221-655 or call CrimeStoppers at (970) 221-6868. See picture of suspect!
