Thieves snap locks, rob RAW:almond restaurant in Winnipeg

RAW:almond pop-up restaurant was robbed Saturday, just days before it's scheduled to open at The Forksin Winnipeg.

Someone got onto the construction site and stole a portable generator and tools overnight Saturday.

Joe Kalturnyk, one of the restaurant'screators, said because the restaurant is located on the point at The Forks,the thieves had to really work at taking what they got. The pop-up eatery is usually on the ice, but the river took too long to freeze this year.

"I would say that they were fairly organized, and they were able to snap the lock on our gates," Kalturnyk said.

The generator has a light pole attached to it and requires a truck with a hitch to haul it away.

But Kalturnyk said Monday morning a school custodian spotted the generator in a school parking lot.

"I received a phone call from the rental company saying that someone had called them, and apparently it turned up in a school parking lot, just sitting there by itself," Kalturnyk said.

"I guess they had second thoughts."

The restaurant opens on Jan. 21 and runs until Jan. 27.

Kalturnyk said they're still missing drills and power boxesand may not know the extent of what was stolen until they open the restaurant and can't find the items they need.

This is the first time there has been a theft at the site.

Kalturnyk saidthey usually have a security detail while the restaurant is open, but they've never needed one while the restaurant is under construction.

Now, he said, there is overnight security.