Georgia restaurant owner offers burglar job instead of pressing charges


‘Don’t steal from us, we’ll give you a job’: Georgia restaurateur pens FB post offering job to thief who stole his cash register and is ‘clearly struggling with life decisions’

  • Carl Wallace, owner of Diablo’s Southwest Grill in Augusta, has been praised for his compassionate response to a burglary at the venue on Saturday
  • In a now-viral Facebook post, Wallace offered the burglar the chance to apply for a job at the restaurant
  • He said his reaction was inspired by the fact the burglary took place over the Easter weekend

A Georgia restaurant owner has been praised for his compassionate response to a burglary at his business after inviting the thief to apply for a job.

Carl Wallace, the owner of Diablo’s Southwest Grill on Wheeler Road in Augusta, shared an image of the culprit in a now-viral Facebook post. 

The post was accompanied by a security footage image of a hooded individual carrying something out of the restaurant and a photo of the venue’s smashed glass door.

‘Our burritos are such a smash hit we’ve got people breaking in at 4 a.m. for their fix. So if ya see our door looking hurricane fabulous at Wheeler Rd this is why,’ Wallace wrote.

A Georgia restaurant owner has been praised for his compassionate response to a burglary at his business after inviting the thief to apply for a job. Carl Wallace, the owner of Diablo's Southwest Grill on Wheeler Road in Augusta, shared an image of the culprit in a now-viral Facebook post

A Georgia restaurant owner has been praised for his compassionate response to a burglary at his business after inviting the thief to apply for a job. Carl Wallace, the owner of Diablo’s Southwest Grill on Wheeler Road in Augusta, shared an image of the culprit in a now-viral Facebook post 

The Facebook post was accompanied by a security footage image of a hooded individual carrying something out of the restaurant and a photo of the venue's smashed glass door

The Facebook post was accompanied by a security footage image of a hooded individual carrying something out of the restaurant and a photo of the venue’s smashed glass door

‘To the would-be robber who is clearly struggling with life decisions or having money issues…please swing by for a job application.

‘There are better opportunities out there than this path you’ve chosen,’ he added, sharing his personal phone number for the culprit to get in touch.

‘No police. no questions. Let’s sit down and talk about how we could help you and fix the road you’re on.’ 

Wallace told local outlet WRDW that everything is kept under lock and key so the thief was only able to take some loose change from the register but that the outcome could have been different.

‘They’re risking so much every time they do this: to the business owner, to themselves, or what could happen if the police show up during the process of the break-in,’ he said. 

Wallace (pictured) told local outlet WRDW that everything is kept under lock and key so the thief was only able to take some loose change from the register but that the outcome could have been different. 'They're risking so much every time they do this: to the business owner, to themselves, or what could happen if the police show up during the process of the break-in,' he said

Wallace (pictured) told local outlet WRDW that everything is kept under lock and key so the thief was only able to take some loose change from the register but that the outcome could have been different. ‘They’re risking so much every time they do this: to the business owner, to themselves, or what could happen if the police show up during the process of the break-in,’ he said

'Our burritos are such a smash hit we've got people breaking in at 4 a.m. for their fix. So if ya see our door looking hurricane fabulous at Wheeler Rd this is why,' Wallace wrote in a Facebook post accompanied by a photo of the restaurant's smashed glass door

‘Our burritos are such a smash hit we’ve got people breaking in at 4 a.m. for their fix. So if ya see our door looking hurricane fabulous at Wheeler Rd this is why,’ Wallace wrote in a Facebook post accompanied by a photo of the restaurant’s smashed glass door

The Facebook post has been liked more than 4,000 times and hundreds have commented, praising Wallace for his compassionate approach. 

The burglary may even end up benefiting the restaurant as many Facebook users pledged to eat there in the future. 

‘Wow, what a compassionate, humane move,’ one user wrote. ‘Definitely making a note to drop in and grab a bite next time we’re in Augusta.’

‘I hate that this happened to you but your response was a perfect demonstration in humility that we all need. My family loves Diablos and we eat it often. This has cemented our support of your establishment. Prayers for everyone involved,’ another responded. 

‘I have always eaten at the Diablo’s in North Augusta (closest to me) but I will make it my business to eat at your location starting today for such a gracious, merciful and classy response! Continue letting God lead and guide you!!,’ another Facebook user wrote. 

Wallace told WRDW that the fact that the burglary fell over the Easter weekend inspired his reaction. 

‘Instead of having the normal response of being angry, we decided to reach out, and say this is a bad career path that you’re on, and we’re willing to offer you a job if you’re willing to change what you’re doing in life. 

‘I can’t fix the world, I can’t save the world, but I can make a difference in one person’s life,’ he said. 

‘So I took that approach … on this Easter weekend, to try to take the Godly approach to the situation.’ 

Wallace told WRDW that the fact that the burglary fell over the Easter weekend inspired his compassionate reaction. Pictured: Diablo's Southwest Grill on Wheeler Road

Wallace told WRDW that the fact that the burglary fell over the Easter weekend inspired his compassionate reaction. Pictured: Diablo’s Southwest Grill on Wheeler Road

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