Dupont Circle community rallies around newly opened Protest Pizza after overnight break-in
Dupont Circle pizza shop gets wave of support after break-in
Protest Pizza in Dupont Circle received an outpouring of support after an overnight break-in.
WASHINGTON - A newly opened pizza shop in D.C.’s Dupont Circle is receiving a wave of support from the community after its storefront was broken into and burglarized early Friday morning.
What we know:
Surveillance video captured a man dressed in all black with his face covered approaching Protest Pizza and Bar just before 3 a.m.
The suspect attempted to force open the entrance before eventually smashing the glass door. Once inside, the suspect leaped over the bar, ran to a cash register in the back, grabbed money and fled the scene.
Owners Randy Downs and Ricky Bennett live across the street and spent over a year working to launch the business. They described the incident as a disturbing violation of their hard work and home.
Protest Pizza overnight break-in
"We live across the street, so this is our home. It's a sense of home and security, and that's what we're building at Protest Pizza," Downs said. "So to have it violated by an individual definitely was not a great day, good start to the day."
Wave of community support
However, the owners said their day took a drastic turn when they shared news of the break-in on social media, prompting an overwhelming response from neighbors and supporters nationwide.
Throughout the day, the restaurant saw a non-stop flow of in-person and online orders.
Well-wishers sent flowers, offered messages of support, and local senior community members dropped by to purchase food. Businesses from as far away as Oklahoma reached out to offer assistance to the new establishment.
What they're saying:
"I've been choked up all day, choked up, I've been crying just thinking about everyone who wants us to succeed and grow our business here," Downs said.
"The house is packed, the tickets are non-stop," added Bennett. "Just thank you to everyone again, thank you to everyone who's reached out, shown love near and far."
The owners emphasized that the best way to support any small business facing hardship is simply to show up.
There is currently no word from D.C. police regarding suspects, leads or arrests in the case.
The Source: The information in this article is from original FOX 5 DC reporting and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials.