A bizarre and brazen heist has puzzled Seattle authorities after more than 500 eggs were reported stolen from a popular local breakfast joint early Friday morning.
The theft, which took place at Sunny Side Café in downtown Seattle, has sparked a police investigation, with officials working to crack the case.
According to The Seattle Times, the café’s owner, Mark Holloway, arrived at his restaurant around 5:00 a.m. to find that a large shipment of eggs—intended for the weekend breakfast rush—had mysteriously vanished.
“I walked into the kitchen, and all the cartons were gone,” Holloway told reporters. “At first, I thought maybe a supplier mix-up had happened, but then I checked the security footage.”
The footage, reviewed by KOMO News, showed two masked individuals breaking into the restaurant’s back storage area around 3:30 a.m. The suspects, dressed in dark clothing and gloves, swiftly loaded multiple crates of eggs into a waiting van before fleeing the scene.
Seattle Police Department spokesperson Laura Martinez stated that detectives are actively reviewing the security footage and gathering evidence.
“This is an unusual case, but we take all thefts seriously, whether it’s cash, electronics, or, in this case, breakfast essentials,” Martinez said in an interview with KIRO 7 News. “We’re working on identifying the suspects and determining the motive behind this egg theft.”
Authorities suspect the eggs may have been stolen for resale, as rising food prices have made basic groceries like eggs a more valuable commodity.
According to The Seattle Post, local grocery stores have reported an uptick in egg prices, making bulk thefts potentially lucrative for black-market resellers.
For Holloway and his team, the theft has resulted in a major setback. “Eggs are at the heart of our breakfast menu,” he explained. “Omelettes, scrambled eggs, French toast—this theft hit us where it hurts.”
Despite the loss, the café remains open, with Holloway reassuring customers that alternative supplies have been sourced. “We won’t let this crack our spirits,” he joked.
While egg thefts may seem unusual, similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in recent months.
In January, a bakery in Portland, Oregon, lost over 300 eggs in a late-night burglary, and last year, a San Francisco diner experienced a similar crime.
Experts suggest that inflation and supply chain disruptions may be contributing to the rise in food-related thefts.
Seattle police urge anyone with information about the stolen eggs or the suspects to come forward. “If you see someone trying to sell eggs in bulk under suspicious circumstances, let us know,” Martinez added.
As authorities continue to investigate, one thing is clear—this egg-centric crime has left Seattle residents shell-shocked.
