One of the most popular restaurants in the Buchanan area fell victim this weekend to a thief or thieves who broke into the place and stole cash and other items in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. Berrien County Sheriff's Deputies and the crew at Crime Stoppers hope you can help them track down who committed the crime when they attacked the Wheatberry Restaurant & Tavern on Red Bud Trail. In fact, the break-in is the Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week this week.
Berrien County Sheriff's Deputy Jamie Laughlin was called to the restaurant shortly after 6am Saturday, October 1st, when employees arrived for the day only to find that the place had been broken into overnight. The restaurant and tavern, in a sweeping curve along the St. Joseph River front at 15212 N. Red Bud Trail in Buchanan, was targeted by thieves who successfully escaped with an undetermined amount of cash and "other items" that were not identified by authorities.
Police and Crime Stoppers coordinator Det. Sgt. Fred Laesch are asking for the public's help in catching the crooks by offering up to $1,000 for information leading to their arrest. You can submit an anonymous tip online at www.MichianaCrimeStoppers.com or through a link on their Facebook page. You can also submit a tip through the same secure link using your smartphone by looking for the free P3 Tips mobile app. There is always the tried and true method of the toll free Crime Stoppers number at 800-342-STOP. As always, you will be given a code and they won't ask your name.
Wheatberry has become a very popular stop along the Red Bud Trail, well known for their freshly smoked meats and authentic regional American fare as well as their specialization in craft and local beers on tap in the house. The break-in remains under investigation, however the restaurant remains fully operational and open for business as usual as the search for the thieves continues.
