Police Are On the Hunt for a Gun-Wielding Taco Truck Thief in Garden Grove

On Monday night, an armed robber allegedly stole $250 from the Taqueria Azteca truck in Garden Grove. Robbery is often a common occurrence for street vendors, but the Garden Grove Police Department is trying to determine if a link exists between this crime and a recent spike in robberies targeting street food vendors.

According to police, a man walked into the Taqueria Azteca truck on Monday night with a handgun demanding cash. The perpetrator demanded even more money after employee Juan Rodriguez initially handed over $250 dollars, but quickly left and drove away in a silver Jeep Cherokee.

KTLA-5 reports that Taqueria Azteca is a newcomer to the block and began selling tacos in the area two weeks ago. Rodriguez also recognized the alleged perpetrator, who police say matches the description of similar street robberies over the last week.

Unfortunately, taco trucks and taco stands are often an easy target for robberies. Violent crime against street food vendors seems to to be on the uptick, which might coincide with a recent increase of street food vendors. That violence isn’t concentrated solely to food vendors though. In late-July, off-duty LAPD officer Juan Diaz was shot and killed at the Ave 26 taco stand in Lincoln Heights.

Garden Grove police are asking for help in finding the alleged robbers. Tipsters can call 714-741-5704 with any information.

• Taco Truck Targeted in Latest Among ‘Large Spike’ of Street Robberies in Garden Grove, Police Say [KTLA-5]
• Gang-Affiliated Gunman Kills Off-Duty Police Officer at Popular Lincoln Heights Taco Stand [ELA]