Video captures thieves taking $30,000 worth of mobile kitchens from Feeding South Florida
Thieves stole two mobile teaching kitchens, valued at $15,000 each, from outside Feeding South Florida's warehouse in Pembroke Park.
Feeding South Florida, which released videos and images on Tuesday, is actively working to identify and locate the two men involved in Sunday's robbery.
Cameras capture two thieves in action
Surveillance video captures a white pick-up truck pulling into the parking lot of the Feeding South Florida warehouse in Pembroke Park.
Cameras capture two men in the truck getting out and walking over to a trailer before they remove the equipment inside, put it in their truck bed, and take off.
CEO reacts angrily to theft
Sunday's thefts occurred at a time when officials say 2.1 million South Floridians are grappling with food insecurity.
"My initial reaction was anger," said Paco Velez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida, an organization that supplies food to families in need.
The portable kitchens are integral to the Kitchen à la Cart program, which provides hands-on cooking demonstrations to educate families on culinary skills and healthy food choices, according to the organization.
"These portable kitchens we take to the community, we take to senior centers, so we can reach out to senior centers so they can teach our seniors how to cook healthy as well as manage their chronic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease," Velez said.
When the Feeding South Florida team realized Monday morning that the equipment was stolen, they had to alter their training for the seniors they serve.
Message to thieves: "Bring it Back"
Velez said the two thieves took off with equipment that isn't just expensive, but critical to helping the community, and has this message for them.
"Bring it back," Velez said. "We'll be happy to help you with food, help you with referrals to keep a roof over your head. We're here to help, and those pieces of equipment are really here to make sure that our seniors and some of our families are eating healthy."
Anyone with information should contact Feeding South Florida at (954) 518-1857 or call the police.
