Thieves Break Into Restaurant, Pass Up Cash, Liquor

DENVER (CBS4)- Police in Denver are investigating a bizarre crime where thieves broke into a restaurant but passed up anything of obvious value like cash, liquor and TVs. Instead, they believe the crooks were after information.

The thieves targeted Oblio's Pizzaria on East 22nd Avenue in Park Hill early Monday morning. The owner, Thomas Gilhooly, said they've had break-ins before but this recent incident was calculated and that the thieves were looking for something very specific.

"They kicked in the door," said Gilhooly.

Surveillance video captured the three masked and hooded men entering the patio, capturing an image of one in glasses, before they turn the camera away and get to work.

Gilhooly said the thieves specifically went for point of service sales machines.

"Everything that we believe was of value, TVs, liquor, money... was passed up," said Gilhooly.

The machine systems can cost up to $70,000 but it's what is stored on them that is really valuable.

"People's data that's on them, people's credit card numbers, personal information," said Gilhooly.

Oblios had their service machines locked up at a separate location but two other businesses in the area were not so lucky in robberies earlier this year, "This is what was stolen from some of the other businesses."

Gilhooly believes that just as large companies are dealing with data breaches, even the little guy is having to protect customer information.

"Even commercial people like restaurants are starting to feel the crunch of people trying to steal hardware that might have valuable information on it," said Gilhooly.

Anyone with information is asked to call Denver Police.