Gunmen target Taco Nganas, other food trucks in robberies
Dec 19, 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Police are looking for two masked men after at least three food trucks were robbed in Memphis this week.
MPD has released surveillance video that shows the robbers opening the back door of the Taco Nganas truck in the 2700 block of S. Perkins in Parkway Village on Wednesday night while employees were preparing food.
No one was hurt, but you can see both men point weapons at the employees before emptying a cash register.
Investigators believe the same individuals held up employees working inside the Sabor Salvadoreno food truck in the 5600 block of 5678 Summer Avenue on Sunday afternoon.
Police said a male entered the back door of the food truck, pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun, and demanded money from the employees.
The suspect took the money from the business and left in a tan-colored SUV.
Officers also responded to a food truck robbery Thursday morning in the 5200 block of Winchester. They said two males were responsible but have released few details.
Customers say they're taking precautions when ordering food.
"Hearing that people are getting you know, gunpoint at a food truck, yeah, it's very scary, especially for me being by myself," customer Jessica Pender said.
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The crimes are putting food truck vendors on high alert.
Lamees Virani owns Chakka, a Pakistani-style food truck located off Poplar and White Station, says his store is already responding after hearing about food trucks being targeted.
"I talk to a lot of the food truck owners and everything is getting stolen from appliances to food itself," Virani said.
Virani said that, while business is good, thieves don't realize the impact these thefts have on small businesses.
"I know like when I had first started, our generator got stolen and generators cost a lot, so it takes us a few weeks to get back on our feet," he said.
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Virani says despite the set backs he hopes to continue to serve, and to share with Memphis his culture and food, like Dubai chocolate.
"You can't give up. We're here to serve the community, day and night, and if that's a part of the community we have to go through, you know we are still going to cook the next day," Virani said.
If you recognize the suspects or have any information that can help police find them, call CrimeStoppers at (901)528-CASH.