Stolen Food Truck Found, Damaged

Local food truck, Stephon's Mobile Bistro, was found after being stolen from its parking spot on Morrill Avenue earlier this week. Unfortunately, it won't be back in service anytime soon--because it was returned badly damaged.

Stephon Van Dyke, owner of the bistro, says he has been serving the Reno/Sparks community for almost ten years now. He told us when he went into work on Thursday, the food truck, his only source of income, was gone. He immediately reported it stolen. 

Fortunately, a buddy of Stephon saw the trailer posted on Craigslist for $3,300. Stephon told us he was surprised, since he spent almost $100,000 putting the food truck together. He said he is grateful, however, for the quick and efficient actions by the Reno Police Department, adding, "Reno PD was able to do a sting, i guess you would call it, and capture him."

But now, Stephon has to deal with the after effects. He says the thief stole the trailer's generator, gas tank, faucets, piping, copper wiring and more. He estimates the damages will cost anywhere from $10,000-$15,000.

We spoke with his daughter, Sha'vonne Oruh, who says this bistro is her father's livelihood and this incident is going to set him back. Through tears, she explained, "Some people have a lot to where if something like this was to happen to them, they're able to just rebuild quickly, that's not the same with us, that's not the case with us."

While they do have insurance on the trailer, Stephon says they're unsure exactly when they will be reimbursed and exactly how much will be covered. 

Stephon and his daughter says their faith in God is helping them through these tough times and that it is not a matter of if Stephon's Mobile Bistro will bounce back, but that it is simply a matter of time. 

A GoFundMe account has been set up here. 

We reached out to the Reno Police Department, Friday, for comment on the investigation, but have not yet heard back from them.Â