Foodie Heist in Livermore: Thieves Swipe Nearly $1,000 of Meat as Wildfire Forces Early Closure

When the Little Fire rolled through Alameda County last week, the owners of Da Boccery—a bar‑restaurant that doubles as a playground with golf simulators, axe‑throwing lanes and arcade games—made a quick call to close early. Safety for staff and guests came first, especially as the blaze leapt across 1,000 acres and prompted mandatory evacuations.

What the team didn’t expect was that the emergency would also open a window for a different kind of danger. At about 7:30 p.m. the following evening, someone cut the bolt on the back gate, slipped inside, and walked away with a case of burgers and a slab of tri‑tip. The general manager, Mitchell Bryant, told CBS that the thieves weren’t done; a half‑hour later, a friend of the first intruder showed up and helped nab four more cases of burgers, some bacon and a handful of cheese.

In total, the loot was valued at just under $1,000 – a hefty sum for any restaurant, but especially painful for a business already reeling from lost revenue, staff re‑assignments and the emotional toll of a nearby fire. “Between myself and the owner, we decided to close early for safety,” Bryant said. “Finding out someone had broken in the next day was a punch in the gut.”

The police have classified the break‑in as a felony, because California law flags any theft over $950 as grand theft. Livermore officers are still combing through surveillance footage and gathering witness statements, hoping to track down the culprits before they disappear into the night.

While the motives remain unknown, Bryant tried to keep a humane perspective. “Maybe they’re feeding a family or dealing with personal problems,” he mused, though that doesn’t soften the sting of seeing premium cuts and specialty cheeses vanished from the walk‑in freezer.

Da Boccery isn’t alone in feeling the heat. Several local eateries had to trim hours or shut down altogether while firefighters battled the Little Fire, which is now about 85 % contained. One firefighter was injured in the effort, underscoring how the blaze has affected the whole community.

Meanwhile, the incident shines a spotlight on a growing trend: food theft in California. Just weeks earlier, a San Jose supermarket began encasing ground beef in wire cages to deter shoplifters. It seems the temptation of high‑value protein cuts is becoming a bigger problem than the occasional snack pilfer.

For now, Da Boccery’s doors remain closed pending a full inventory check and a review of security measures. The staff hopes to reopen soon, once they’ve restocked the fridge and the fire is fully out of the picture.