Huge Sum of Cash Stolen From New Pizza Shop In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — With lines out the door to the sidewalk nearly every day since opening on Feb. 21, Dominic's On the Ave has quickly become the hot new spot for pizza lovers in Enfield and the surrounding area. Rave reviews on social media have driven customers into the shop from open until closed, and sometimes beyond, but two "customers" who visited late Friday afternoon put a damper on what had been a celebratory opening week.

Due to internet connectivity problems, the shop posted a note on its Facebook page Friday informing customers they could accept cash only on a temporary basis while their credit card machine became operable again. With a late afternoon rush and staff pressed into double duty, a young man and a woman took advantage by quickly reaching into a bank bag inadvertently left on the counter and leaving with a large amount of cash, owner Joseph Zucco told Patch.

Enfield police responded to the shop around 6:45 p.m., and began an investigation which included reviewing surveillance camera footage from nearby businesses. No arrests had been made as of noon Monday.

Word of the theft quickly spread on social media, with residents offering to help out with a GoFundMe campaign to help the newly-opened business. Zucco graciously declined the offer, but thanked the community for rallying around the shop.

"We will learn from this," he told Patch Monday, adding he closed the shop Saturday so he and his employees could take measures to improve security and better handle cash flow.

The shop resumed its normal hours at 11 a.m. Monday, and will be open until 6:30 p.m. daily, Mondays through Saturdays.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Officer Kevin Ragion at 860-763-6400.