Independent Operators

Deaf food truck owner gets food truck back following theft

Photo: Adobe Stock

January 8, 2025

Lotz of BBQ food truck was stolen from a parking lot in Austin, Texas. Owner Roy Lotz is deaf and said this food truck was his dream job, according to a report by Fox 7 Austin However, the food truck was recovered due to a community search.

"It's definitely a challenge for a deaf business owner," Lotz said in the report. "I have to work harder than hearing people do. I believe in hard work, and that's what I've done."

Surveillance footage captured two men who drove off with the trailer.

He said only the trailer was covered by insurance, not the equipment. He has launched a GoFundMe for his family. He was able to raise $33,000.

When the trailer was recovered, it had a significant amount of damage, including missing items and cut brake lines.

"I'm going to use this money to get the equipment that I need to replace on the inside, the new wrap, a new generator. Two of the generators are missing," said Lotz. "I've got to buy a lot of things that are missing and fix up the trailer."

Police are offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the two individuals who stole the food truck. They were seen in surveillance footage driving off in an early 2000s Ford F150.