Break-in at a South Congress restaurant

A popular Austin restaurant is cleaning up tonight after someone broke in and stole several hundred dollars. Managers say it could have been an inside job.

Hill's Cafe manager Brian Blackwood says the restaurant is a place where you can wind down.

“Chicken fried steaks, steaks good comfort food. We have live music,” said Brian Blackwood, Manager of Hill’s Café.

Early Saturday morning it became a crime scene. Blackwood says when he came to work, he got an unpleasant surprise.

“It didn't seem like it was real at first. I just came in and saw the broken door and glass everywhere,” said Blackwood.

“Someone smashed the window, through the door, came in and kicked down the door to the manager's office and stole some money,” said Blackwood.

He believes the thief used this large rock to do the deed.

“I didn't know if they just smashed the glass and ran away or if they had actually stolen something until we looked in the office,” said Blackwood.

He quickly got his answer when he noticed $800 missing from the office. Blackwood and other managers believe it could be an inside job.

Austin police officers came and dusted for prints, looking for any clues that could help them find the person responsible.

“It makes me kind of depressed because I live in this neighborhood. Everyone here lives around south Austin. It's kind of depressing someone would do something like that to a place like this,” said Blackwood.

Until they find the person responsible, managers will try to keep their spirits lifted by keeping the ambiance and spirit of the restaurant alive. If you have any information on this case, please contact police.