Grassburger’s Facebook fans helped catch a young tip jar thief this week.
Shortly before closing on Tuesday, a teenager swiped Grassburger’s tip jar, said Ed Kileen, the owner.
Kileen wanted to catch him because the tips supplement employees wages, he said.
So they took pictures from the surveillance camera and posted it on Facebook. By Wednesday, people who saw the post had identified the thief. The police were able to arrest him and he confessed.
“We hope he’s held accountable,” Kileen said.
Kileen wasn’t exactly sure how much money had been stolen, and the money has not been returned.
However, the restaurant took the photos and the thief’s name off Facebook to protect his identity and wished him well.
“We hope he learned,” he said.
Kileen likened the experience on Facebook to visiting a corner store in a small town.
In a modern twist, the posting generated thousands of hits on Grassburger’s Facebook site.
Diorios South Pizza also had a tip jar stolen Tuesday, manager Edward Broadway said.
But he was not sure if the thefts were connected.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
