NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) -- An Italian ice vendor in Newport News is reaching out to the public through social media for help finding their stolen property.
According to a Facebook post, staffers from Rita's Italian Ice shop located on Warwick Boulevard said the shop's catering trailer and mobile carts were stolen from their parking lot last Tuesday night.
It's been nearly a week and there's been no sign of the stolen items.
However, staffers are offering a pretty sweet reward for anyone who can find the trailer and carts: free ice forever!
Jerry Crissman own's Rita's in Hampton and Newport News. His manager texted him last Wednesday morning about store business, and at the end of the text, he said there was some confusion.
“She said I assume you have the trailer,” Crissman said. “Well no I didn't have the trailer.”
Crissman said it's not just a trailer. Inside the trailer was a freezer, a couple of carts, a generator and tons of other equipment they use when they're out at events. All the thief or thieves left behind were a few pieces of brick Crissman jacked the trailer up on.
“It does affect us earning additional income from the mobile operation,” Crissman said.
Crissman said they've had the trailer for about three years. They park it in the parking lot and they keep it locked and secured when they're not using it. He estimates they lost around $22,000.
“I have been here 11 years and have never had an issue with anything being stolen,” Crissman said. “Sure, I was surprised but you can't control it.”
The catering trailer is white and has a tandem axle (two axles and four wheels) along with silver trim on the front of the bullet shape. There is a dent in the metal on the front right part of the trailer and the side door and the back door are ramp doors.
Crissman said on a lighter note, Tuesday is the 1st day of Spring, and Rita’s everywhere is giving away a free cup of ice between 12-9.