Tulsa Food Truck Broken Into Twice In The Last Few Months

A Tulsa Food Truck Owner is trying to get back on his feet after his business was broken into twice in the last few months.

He says this most recent break-in set him back about $5,000.

Dante's Wood Fire is normally parked behind Heirloom Rustic Ales, but right now it’s being repaired.

The owner says they're still able to make pizzas, but these thefts have made it difficult.

"They cut right through here and just offloaded everything onto the highway," said Dante’s Wood Fire Owner Broderic Ballard.

Ballard has been selling his famous wood fire pizzas for two years, but recently his truck was broken into twice.

The first time was in July, so he built a security fence to try to keep it from happening again.

“It didn't stop them again,” said Ballard. “They cut through the cut through the back fence, cut through my fence and got me for around three grand worth of stuff this time."

Ballard says his personal computer, a generator and about $600 worth of knives were taken in the most recent break-in during the last week of October.

"I lost a lot more personal things that I'm never going to get back,” said Ballard. “My boss gave me his first knife ever and that's gone."

Tulsa Police say because this area near Admiral and Lewis isn't well lit, it's been difficult to find witnesses or surveillance video.

Officers recommend security cameras and floodlights to try to prevent break-ins.

"It's one of those things that scares people off especially if they see a floodlight come on right in their face, the first thing they think is oh a camera might be accompanying this,” said TPD Officer Andre Baul.

Ballard says he had to replace several of the items right away to stay in business, but he's grateful he's able to continue doing what he loves.

"We're happy to be here and we are excited to keep going but these bumps definitely make it harder," said Ballard.

Dante's Wood Fire will be back at Heirloom serving pizzas Friday night from 5 to 10.

There's also a fundraiser in the works for early December.

Ballard says they’ll post details on their Instagram page, @Danteswoodfire.