Cleveland Police are hoping to catch the crooks who broke into a popular bar twice in two days, stealing thousands of dollars worth of alcohol.
Porco Lounge on West 25th Street was first targeted on Nov. 18 when thieves pried off the locks to the walk-in cooler and stole beer, champagne, heavy cream and butter.
Surveillance photos show a man dressed in red pushing a red linen cart filled with the stolen goods.
“So we had the door refastened, we had the deadbolt fixed on it, we actually added another padlock to it,” said chef Adam Bostick.
When workers came back the next day — it was like deja vu.
The locks were pried off again and this time, the entire cooler was cleaned out.
Surveillance photos this time show a man in a white hoodie dragging away a recycling bin full of the stolen alcohol.
A total of more than $3,000 worth of beer, champagne and liquor was snatched over the two nights.
“You feel like it has to be the same person because they knew what they were going for,” Bostick said. “It would have had to have been fast because it would have been noisy.”
Porco’s isn’t the only one feeling the sting.
Directly across the street is Horizon Education Center, a non-profit preschool and after-school care program.
They were also hit twice, on separate occasions.
The first time, thieves broke in the back door and made off with maintenance equipment and a computer. The second attempt, though, was foiled due to how well the door was secured.
“I don’t wish ill will on anyone, but I hope they get caught and it doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Bostick said.
If you recognize the men in the surveillance photos, you're asked to call Det. Janet Murphy at 216-623-5218.
