Southwest
Texas pizzeria tips hat to highest bidder after petty theft uncovers another crime
A Texas pizzeria’s unfortunate petty theft incident inadvertently uncovered another victim with its good-humored viral social media post.
Stone Oven Pizza in Wichita Falls took to Facebook when its tip jar money was stolen and offered up an auction to replace employees’ missing dollars.
The teenagers accused in the act left behind a cowboy hat, so the restaurant owners decided it would only be fitting to use the misplaced hat and recoup the proceeds.
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A Wichita Falls, Texas pizzeria’s unfortunate petty theft incident inadvertently uncovered another victim with their good-humored viral social media post. (Stone Oven Pizza)
“Last night, our crew ran into an incident where some teenagers stole the tips out of the tip jar… However, luckily enough, they left this hat… We’re not a big fan of hats around here, however, we know the beautiful community of Wichita Falls is, and we would like to open up an auction… The highest bidder by Tuesday afternoon will win the prize of this authentic cowboy jicama-giga!” the post said.
The business said all proceeds from the auction would be split evenly between the three employees who lost their tips.
What the pizzeria didn’t expect was that the good-natured attempt would lead to the discovery of the hat’s true owner, which was not one of the teenagers.
An update to the original post showed that the same teens had broken into a man’s truck and stolen the hat from him.
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The teenagers responsible left behind a cowboy hat and the restaurant owners decided it would only be fitting to use the misplaced hat and recoup the proceeds.
“While the owners of Stone Oven were prepared to meet this man in mutual combat to defend the wages of our team… It was the team members themselves that decided this man’s head was indeed looking cold… we will be returning the property to its’ rightful owner… do not worry the employees have been given $50 bonuses for altruism and compassion,” the update said, in part.
The restaurant then went on to boast that they were proud of their town and the support they received following the theft.
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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