A defocused police car sits behind crime scene tape with flashing lights at night.
Ajax9/Getty Images/iStockphotoAn Oakland food truck was stolen on Christmas Eve, a day before the owner planned to deliver food to unhoused people.
The truck belonged to Eric Scott, who owns Touch of Soul, a soul food business with a restaurant located in Emeryville. In an interview with SFGATE, he said the truck, which the 10-year restaurant has had since May 2022, was found on Tuesday after a community member gave him a tip about the truck’s location.
The truck was found at an encampment of unhoused people near Interstate 880 and High Street, KTVU reported.
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The vehicle, which Scott said is worth $80,000, was reported stolen after being parked on the 5900 block of San Pablo Avenue, the Oakland Police Department told SFGATE.
The owner said the truck was parked in the area on Dec. 23 and it was the next morning that he discovered it was missing.
Scott said Touch of Soul planned on distributing food to unhoused people on Monday, Christmas Day, a tradition for the local food business. He said the restaurant has plans to reschedule the event in the near future and distribute food to unhoused people and community members that helped spread awareness when the truck was missing.
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Scott said some contents of the truck were slightly damaged and estimated at about a $13,000 loss.
“We are just so thankful we got it back,” Scott said.
The vehicle is still reported in the police department’s system as stolen, the Oakland Police Department said. Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact OPD at 510-238-3326.