Parrots stolen from popular Buckhead restaurant recovered
ATLANTA - Three birds are back where they belong after a crook stole them from a popular Buckhead restaurant.
R. Thomas Deluxe Grill on Peachtree Street is known for its birds, vegetarian and vegan menu items, and eclectic decor.
The stolen birds are named Ruby, Peaches and Cream.
"They were ready to come home, so we're glad to have them home," said Waring Murray.
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R. Thomas Deluxe Grill on Peachtree Street is known for its birds, vegetarian and vegan menu items, and eclectic decor.
The three parrots were stolen from the restaurant just after 6 a.m. Friday. Cameras captured the crook in the act, first as he spray-painted cameras, then as he cut the lock on each cage, before grabbing all three parrots, and driving away. It all happened in less than 30 minutes. According to a Facebook post, the theft appears to have been premeditated.
"It's very upsetting and a little bit alarming," said Brittany Curran.
Longtime restaurant employees were shocked. They say Ruby, Peaches and Cream have lived here for more than a decade. Birds have been a staple at the restaurant for at least 30 years.
"They are family to all of us because we've been here, and we are here every day," Curran said. "We see them every day they all have different personalities, just like you and I do."
The theft left customers disappointed who loved seeing the birds when they came for a meal.
"Peaches would kind of hop her way over to the corner of the cage, so anyone could just give her a rub," said Carmen Taylor.
Restaurant employees are thankful that Atlanta Police tracked the birds down.
"Apparently they have techniques here in Atlanta that they use to track things and they found it," Murray said.
"It's very sad that this would even be a thought that somebody would come up with," Curran said.
The restaurant's owner says a person has been arrested for stealing the birds and will be charged with damage to property and felony theft.