Vandals caught on camera damaging Lockport pizzeria; owner offers free pizza as reward

LOCKPORT, Ill. (WLS) -- The owners of a south suburban pizzeria are asking the public to help find the "mozzarella-brained bandits" that damaged their restaurant.

Sopranos Pizzeria & Catering shared surveillance video of three suspects driving up to the Lockport restaurant and throw rocks at the windows.

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The suspect used a brick to break the windows at Sopranos. It was enough to shatter the glass, but not to get inside.

The suspect used a brick to break the windows at Sopranos pizza. It was enough to shatter the glass. But not to get inside.

As a security camera records the entire incident, the suspect, wearing a hoodie and a mask over his face first tries throwing a brick through the window, then tried to kick the door in with no luck. He then tried the front window, again without success.

Eventually the suspect gave up, and he and two accomplices drive away in a silver or gray Kia four-door sedan.

The owner, Emmanuel Serna, was in early Thursday making pizzas and said it's frustrating, but he's trying to keep his sense of humor.

"What are they gonna get? Our pizza peels? Maybe our secret recipe?" Serna said. "They can't get it. It's all up here."

A citizen who witnessed the attempted break-in called police and then followed the car for a bit, recording video on his dash-cam, but the suspects managed to get away.

The owner arrived to find the shattered glass. Even though the suspects never got into the restaurant, they caused several thousand dollars worth of damage.

"It's already tough for small businesses right now with the economy the way it is," Serna said.

The attempted break-in is similar to a series of incidents in the south and western suburbs recently. Last week in the early morning hours, suspects broke the windows of several businesses in Downers Grove. They stole cash registers and caused damage to the stores. but generally got away with little.

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Lockport police said they are investigating whether any of the incidents could be connected.

Serna posted the videos on social media, hoping for help in finding the suspects. It's gone viral, already garnering some 250,000 views. Serna is offering reward for anyone who is able help identify the suspects.

"If someone finds them or gives us leads, even one person getting them caught, we're gonna give 'em free pizza for a year," Serna said. "Guaranteed."

Lockport police say the license plate on the gray Kia sedan did not match. leading them to believe either the plate or car was stolen.