TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Thieves slam truck into Denver restaurant to steal only steaks: 'It's ridiculous'

Someone keeps breaking into a Colorado steakhouse and TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Centerstealing meat and police are asking the public for help identifying suspects in the case.

On July 20 at about 5:12 a.m., officers with the Denver Police Department said they responded to Columbine Steak House & Lounge for a report of a burglary.

The business is near the city's Barnum neighborhood about 4 miles southwest of downtown Denver.

During the burglary, thieves slammed a truck into the business to gain entry and caused major damage to the store, Irene Apergis, one of the owners, told USA TODAY Thursday.

"It's the third time actually, but this time they did a lot of damage," Apergis said. "They took the steaks out of the refrigerator and left."

The owner added that the thieves could have taken "beer out of the cooler or liquor from the bar," but they didn't touch either. They also didn't touch a nearby ATM machine located inside the business. They only took the steaks.

The most recent incident forced the steakhouse to temporarily shut its doors.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding," the business wrote in a post on its Facebook page after the break-in. "We look forward to reopening as soon as possible."

Third time in two years suspects broke into steakhouse and stole meat

The break-in, police confirmed to USA TODAY, marked the third burglary over the past two years where suspects broke into the business and stole only meat.

"The first two times they broke into a door with a crowbar," Apergis recalled. "This time they decided to back in with their truck - six or seven times they hit it and tore down the whole wall."

Surveillance footage from the steakhouse, Apergis said, shows a truck slam into the side of the steakhouse causing the restaurant's alarm go off.

The break-in busted water pipes and gas lines, she said.

Apergis said the suspects made off with porterhouses, T-bones and filets and a few pork chops worth about $1,900.

Apergis said she hopes to reopen the steakhouse on Friday to customers.

No suspects, no arrest so far in Denver steak break-in

Police told USA TODAY the two previous burglaries were reported on Dec. 3, 2022, and May 25, 2022.

On Thursday, police said no arrest had been made in the case which remained under investigation.

Apergis said her late father opened the steakhouse in 1961.

"It's ridiculous," Apergis said." I just want to catch these guys."

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Denver police.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.