Police investigating after tip jar stolen from pizza shop

Police are hoping for a different kind of tip in a recent theft. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk reports.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service is searching for a suspect after a tip jar was taken from a pizza shop in Cambridge, Ont. on Family Day.

Employees at 241 Pizza on Myers Road in Galt said it happened around 8:30 p.m. An unknown male entered the shop, walked up the counter, took the tip jar, and walked out the door.

Pinu Patel was working behind the counter at the time of the theft.

“I was so scared,” Patel told CTV News in an interview Wednesday. “For like five, six seconds, I’m just watching him, what he’s doing.”

Patel said she called her manager from the back of the shop, and the pair ran out to try and get a glimpse of the getaway car.

According to police, the black Honda Civic was reported as stolen in Toronto earlier that day.

“Wow, wow, it was scary — from Toronto, the five people came here,” said Patel.

Police said only one person entered the business, but it’s not clear how many people were in the vehicle. No injuries were reported, but Patel said staff have been left shaken.

It’s the third time the shop has been hit by crime in two years.

“Previously, we had two break-ins, but the person took a hammer and (broke) the glass door, and he came inside,” Patel recalled. “This time, we had the barricade and the person came and walked in.”

Patel said around $200 in tips was stolen on Monday. The incident has prompted the store to stop accepting cash payments and remove any physical currency from the premises.

“The manager told me that no tip jar will be provided, so it’s costing our pockets as well,” she said.

But Patel said the cost of safety is priceless. While the shop steps up its security measures, she said she’s hoping more will be done in the plaza and by police.

“It’s a safety concern,” she said. “We need the security in the plaza as well, we need the patrolling of police regularly.”

Police said they are investigating the incident but have yet to provide a description of any suspects. They encourage people in similar situations to avoid chasing after suspects. Instead, get to a safe place and call 911 immediately.