Moochie’s restaurant theft overnight; owner says thief used professional tools to break in

SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah — Business is back open after a brazen break-in at Moochie’s Meatballs and More in South Salt Lake.

Surveillance video from the restaurant — located at 2121 S. State Street — captured a hooded person use a tool to shatter the glass door at approximately 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“She definitely knew what she was doing. She was prepared to do this job,” owner Joanna Rendi said. “She walked up and used a professional tool that she stuck right on the glass and it just shattered the glass.”

After waiting a couple of minutes, security footage captures the suspect walking into the restaurant and straight to the back of the shop into an office where the safe was located.

“She went to town on that safe,” Rendi said. “She used a saw for about 30 minutes to get to the cash.”

The thief made off with about $2,500.

Moochies on S. State St. was broken into overnight. The thief was able to saw through their safe and take $2,500.
Tonight at 10:00, we talk to the owner who says this crime not only impacts them financially but emotionally @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/DDEKK124X0

— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) September 14, 2022

Rendi said her employees were devastated when they learned about the crime.

“Everybody is really upset. To the person who did this, you need to keep in mind that you are affecting other people who are working really hard to support their families,” she said. “It seems that there is more and more crime going on in neighborhoods. I just see it more and more. And now more than ever, we need to be looking out for each other and taking care of each other.” 

South Salt Lake police are working to identify the person responsible. 

If you recognize the person in the surveillance video or have any information about the crime, call police at 801-840-4000.