West Allis Police Department is on the trail of a suspect who orchestrated a break-in at Twisted Plants, a vegan eatery known for its plant-based offerings, situated at 62nd Street and Lincoln Avenue. WISN reported that the burglary took place shortly before midnight last Sunday, with surveillance footage capturing the suspect's forceful entry into the restaurant followed by him fleeing with the cash register. "When I looked at the video, he was in and out in like 2 minutes," Brandon Hawthorne, the restaurant's owner, told WISN. "I don't know if he came or had been in the restaurant before. How fast he did it was like he knew what he was doing."
Investigators have learned that the suspect arrived on the scene in a vehicle and employed a rock or brick to shatter the glass door, as noted by CBS58. Once inside, the individual seized a cash register, which contained approximately $1,000. The police described the duration of the entire burglary to be approximately one minute, an alarmingly brief amount of time for any such criminal act to transpire.
The incident has left a mark on the Twisted Plants staff, who are faced with not just the loss of funds but also the break of trust and security. "It's disheartening," Hawthorne said in an interview with TMJ4, indicating the emotional toll such violation has on small business owners. The local community, which has come to consider the restaurant a staple of vegan cuisine, shares in the impact of this crime. Meanwhile, the authorities are urging the public to step forward with any information that could lead to the apprehension of the suspect.
Twisted Plants is currently dealing with the physical damages as well. A report by TMJ4 describes the front door of the establishment as shattered, which will require repair. Police continue their investigation, reviewing evidence and asking anyone with potential leads to come forward. Although the break-in was swift, the resolve of the local law enforcement and community is unwavering—their determination to bring justice is palpable. Reports have not disclosed specific leads or suspects at this time, but updates are anticipated as the investigation goes on.
