Social media post leads to recovery of stolen food truck

PHOENIX — A Valley food truck stolen in late December has been recovered, thanks to a good Samaritan and social media. 

LeeAnn Scardina, co-owner of Marylee Kitchens, said she was devastated when the truck was stolen Dec. 27 near 99th Avenue and Peoria. 

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“I thought we lost it all,” LeeAnn Scardina said. “It was never coming back. I thought it was going to be in another state. I thought it would be unrecoverable.” ‘

The truck, nicknamed “Babs,” was found in Glendale after a good Samaritan spotted it and contacted police. 

Mary Profeta-Scardina, the other co-owner, said the good Samaritan, who wishes to remain anonymous, had seen a post about the stolen truck on social media. 

“We made a post, and Lee’s brother made a post, and between that and sharing that post, our food truck community, and between all of us, our posts were shared over 1,000 times that afternoon,” Profeta-Scardina said. 

Mary Profeta-Scardina said the good Samaritan followed the truck and contacted Glendale police. 

According to Glendale police, a 43-year-old man was taken into custody for vehicle theft.

That person has been released from jail with pending charges. 

 LeeAnn Scardina said the community’s support has been overwhelming throughout this already difficult year. 

“It’s really because of the community that surrounds us, our friends, our family, people who’ve tried our food,” LeeAnn Scardina said. “And again, we just want to say thank you to everyone making it possible to get the diner back, get us back on track.” 

The owners are grateful to be back in business and are looking forward to serving their staple pork roll. 

“If you love bacon, think bacon elevated,” Mary Profeta-Scardina said. 

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