When it rains, it pours—and for the owners of a beloved Wisconsin restaurant, tragedy has struck twice in less than 24 hours.
Oshkosh Police have launched an active investigation into a brazen burglary at Players Pizza & Pub, a local eatery that was already reeling from a catastrophic fire that completely destroyed the building just hours prior.
A Double Blow for a Local Business
The nightmare began early Thursday morning when a massive fire tore through the restaurant, ultimately causing the building's roof to collapse. Miraculously, the owners confirmed in a Facebook statement that everyone made it out safely with zero injuries reported. While acknowledging that the establishment would remain closed "for the time being," the resilient owners shared a glimmer of hope, noting they have "very good insurance" and full intentions to rebuild.
However, the crisis took an unexpected and unsettling turn early Friday morning.
According to the Oshkosh Police Department, officers were called to investigate a break-in at the fire-damaged property occurring between approximately 4:00 AM and 5:30 AM.
Police Release Suspect Details
Authorities have since released surveillance images of the suspect in hopes of generating leads. Investigators describe the individual as a Black man of average height with short hair, spotted wearing a distinct red shirt and black pants. At this time, police have not disclosed whether anything of value was actually stolen from the charred remains of the pub.
The Oshkosh Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is spearheading the ongoing inquiry.
How You Can Help
Law enforcement is urging anyone with information regarding the overnight burglary to step forward.
If you have details that could assist investigators, you can reach the Oshkosh Police Department directly at 920-236-5700. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477 or digitally via the P3 App.
As this community rallies around the owners of Players Pizza & Pub during an unimaginably difficult time, the search is on to find the person responsible for kicking them while they are down. Stay tuned to WhyThisBuzz for further updates on this developing story.
