More than a year after his food-truck trailer disappeared, Roy Lotz, owner of Lotz of BBQ in southeast Austin, says he is still waiting for an arrest. The trailer was taken on Dec. 26, 2024, later recovered in Elgin, and despite repeated check-ins with police, Lotz says no one has been taken into custody.
Owner Voices Frustration With Pace Of Investigation
In an interview reported by KVUE, Lotz, who is deaf, said he has repeatedly contacted the Austin Police Department for updates. After months of silence, he told the station he planned to reach out again on Monday, adding that the long wait has left him worried about the future of his business.
APD Provides Case Details
According to a press release from the Austin Police Department, the Auto Theft Unit logged the case as 24-5032451. Investigators say surveillance video shows a pickup backing up, latching onto the trailer, and towing it away on the night of Dec. 26, 2024. The release lists the theft location as the 3400 block of Comsouth Drive and describes the suspect vehicle as an early-2000s two-toned dark-green Ford F-150. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. The initial community call for tips was highlighted in coverage from APD seeks community help.
Trailer Recovered But Damaged, Community Helped Rebuild
The trailer turned up days later at a residence in Elgin, but it was in rough shape when it came back. It had been badly stripped and its brake lines cut, according to FOX 7 Austin. Local coverage and a community fundraiser helped Lotz replace missing generators and kitchen equipment, and he eventually reopened Lotz of BBQ in May 2025 with a replacement trailer, as reported by CultureMap Austin.
How To Share Tips
As outlined by the Austin Police Department, anyone with information about the theft should contact the Auto Theft Unit at (512) 974-5265 or submit an anonymous tip through Capital Area Crime Stoppers. Tips may be eligible for the $1,000 reward, and investigators are asking anyone with video or photos from the Dec. 26 timeframe to come forward.
For Lotz, the lack of arrests is about more than just getting stolen gear accounted for. It is tied to his livelihood and his trust in public safety. He says he is back on the street serving barbecue for now and plans to keep pressing police for answers.
