Steakhouse Security Camera Captures Steak Thief in Action
A brazen steak theft has struck Columbine Steak House and Lounge on Federal Boulevard once again. This family-owned restaurant has been the target of multiple meat heists.
Recently, Denver food enthusiasts have raised the alarm — the longstanding Columbine Steakhouse and Lounge at 3rd Avenue and Federal Boulevard was burglarized. The unpretentious steakhouse, in business since 1961, is beloved for its down-to-earth atmosphere and great prices.
Restaurant owner Irene Apergis noted, “It’s nothing fancy. It’s a down-to-earth, hole-in-the-wall steakhouse. But it’s very good steaks, very good prices.” Unfortunately, this charm hasn’t deterred thieves, as Columbine has experienced not one, not two, but three break-ins over the past few years.
The Strange Pattern of Theft
The most peculiar part of these burglaries? The thieves only took steaks. No beer, no booze, no money — just steaks.
“They took a couple of trays of T-bone,” Apergis said. “They took New Yorks, they took filets. They took a tray of the sirloins, and I think they took four bags of porterhouse…I would say at least 250 pieces.”
The latest break-in occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday. Apergis became aware of the situation around 7:30 a.m. when an employee arrived for their opening shift.
“The whole wall in the kitchen was completely demolished,” Apergis told Denverite. “The door was demolished and water was all over the place.”
Escalating Destruction
Apergis says this is the third time steaks have been stolen. However, this burglary was different. “This time they caused a big disaster,” she said. “They broke the pipes. We had a leak in the gas line, the whole wall is down.”
She suspects the same perpetrators are behind all three burglaries and believes her efforts to secure the restaurant may have provoked them.
“The first few times they did it, they came through the door with a crowbar,” Apergis explained. In response, she installed a metal seam on the door crease as a safety precaution. “I think because I put that safety precaution and they couldn’t get in as easily as last time,” Apergis said, “they just tore the whole wall down.” She suspects they did it out of spite.
Preventive Measures and Weariness
Apergis and her brother, who runs the restaurant with her, are considering installing balusters. While they know balusters won’t prevent burglaries, they hope it will at least prevent a truck from busting into the restaurant.
These burglaries are taking a toll on the family. “Our Budweiser man told us that there were like four break-ins in the restaurants in our area,” Apergis said.
After a lifetime of working in her family restaurant, such incidents make her weary. “All my life, I’ve been here,” she explained. Her daughter and niece also work at the restaurant. “But I don’t want them to do it. I really don’t. It owns you. The business owns you. You don’t own it. You know what I mean?”
Reopening Plans
Despite the setbacks, steak service will resume as soon as possible. Apergis plans for all employees to give the restaurant a thorough cleanup on Thursday, with hopes of reopening on Friday or Saturday. “The walls are not going to be fixed yet,” Apergis warns. “I just have the temporary wood that the restoration company fixed for me so we could close it up.”
For all who love the Columbine Steakhouse and Lounge, your support keeps Apergis going. “It’s really nice that we got the support,” she said.
