'Inchworm bandits' steal hundreds of dollars in tips from Piggy's Kitchen and Bar

Thieves caused about $2,000 worth of damage, manager says

HOUSTON – Police said thieves broke into Piggy's Kitchen and Bar overnight, crawling on the floor and trying to avoid cameras.

Beyond the damage they did, they took something that has employees upset: servers' tips.

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After smashing the front window, three suspects made their way into Piggy's Kitchen and Bar early Sunday.

What they did next has police doing a double take on this burglary.

“The staff has taken to calling them the 'inchworm bandits,'” manager Christopher Grinnell said. “They're inch-worming their way across my dining room floor, all the way to the kitchen."

Grinnell said they finally decided to stand up once they made it to the back of the kitchen.

”It looks like they kicked the steel door open,” he said. “I have no idea how they had that much strength. You can see when they're kicking it, it is rattling the entire room.”

After finally getting inside, the three managed to steal $450 — money that was for servers who worked shifts on Friday and Saturday.

“That's ‘going to the store and buying groceries' money, you know,” head chef Kelsey Alkire said. “That's 'finding the perfect little gift for your friend' money, and it's just not fair.”

Police are now investigating whether the thieves may be the same bandits caught on camera carrying out a crime in similar fashion at a Mister Gattis Pizza off Uvalde Road last week.

“That's unfortunate, with the holiday season coming right around the corner,” Grinnell said.

Managers said the thieves caused about $2,000 worth of damage.

This is the third time the restaurant has been burglarized.

Managers said the last time, the crooks used a sledgehammer and a crowbar and walked out with about five bottles of Patron tequila.


About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.