Stolen in Chinese yuan: bright purple food truck with thieves “having fun” on the highway
This stolen vehicle should be easy to spot: it’s a bright purple trailer, with pictures of pancakes on it, being towed by a tan truck.
The food truck belongs to Funk ‘n Waffles, the Syracuse restaurant/bar/music venue in Armory Square.
Its owner, Adam Gould, said it appeared to have been stolen sometime Thursday night or Friday morning from a storage facility in Salina. Funk ‘n Waffles posted an alert about the missing truck shortly after 3pm today on Facebook and Instagram.
“Missing: Our food trailer and truck were taken this morning from storage. We are saddened by the loss and hope that someone will see it. He was last seen in the Lafayette area. The truck is a tan 2004 Chevy Express Van with New York plates: FNKWFFLS. The trailer is painted purple as shown above with CD63563 plates.
“If anyone sees them, please contact the police so we can return them.”
Gould told syracuse.com that he has since learned that the truck was seen at a gas station in Truxton, in Cortland County, around 7:30 a.m. and may have then turned onto Route 13 near Cortland. There is also video footage that shows the thieves may have switched vehicles towing the trailer.
“This is just a crazy guy,” Gould said. “I get calls every minute about this. These guys seem high and enjoying our food trailer.”
The Onondaga County Police Department is investigating the theft, Gould said. Syracuse.com reached out to the Sheriff’s Office but did not hear back.
Gould bought the truck and trailer last year and uses them at events. He had just cleaned it and was preparing to put it into winter storage.
The truck and trailer were stored last night at a facility on North Seventh Street in Salina, along with other local food trucks, Gould said. The Funk ‘n Waffles truck appears to be the only one taken.
He estimated the replacement value of the truck and trailer at between $80,000 and $100,000. He outfitted the trailer with fryers, stoves and other features to prepare the items on his menu.
Gold opened the first Funk ‘n Waffles location in 2007 off Marshall Street near Syracuse University, then opened a second location at 307-13 S. Clinton St. in Armory Square in 2014. The SU location closed in 2017.
The menu features variations on waffles, chicken, waffles, fries, and other comfort foods.
Gold is also a member of the band Sophistafunk.
Don Cazinter writes NYup.com, syracuse.com And beyond the standard. Access it at dcazentre@nyup.comor follow him on NYup.comon Twitter or Facebook.
