‘Biscuit Bandit’ breaks into Popeyes at 5 a.m. and starts cooking, NC police say
A “Biscuit Bandit” is being hunted in North Carolina, after the desperado broke into a Popeyes at 5 a.m. and started cooking items from the menu, according to police.
It happened around 5 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Popeyes on West Gate City Boulevard in Greensboro, and the rogue fry cook managed to get in and out before staff showed up. (The restaurant opens at 10 a.m.)
“Well, we’ve heard of the ‘Wet Bandits’ and ‘Sticky Bandits,’ but we’ve never come across a ‘Biscuit Bandit’!” Greensboro Police Public Information Coordinator Patrick DeSota told The Charlotte Observer.
“It was determined that an individual accessed the inside of the building, started cooking shrimp, biscuits, and fries, and then stole other items before leaving.”
Popeyes is known for its fried chicken, but the menu also includes butterfly shrimp “seasoned in our Louisiana spice blend and perfectly crisped in our Southern breading.”
Realizing the intrusion was unusual, the police department took an equally unusual approach to addressing it on social media.
“To the individual who decided to break into Popeyes ... and proceeded to cook shrimp and biscuits, then stole a few things. Popeyes and GPD would like you to rate your food experience by contacting us and/or Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers.”
The department’s May 22 Facebook post had racked up nearly 9,000 reactions and comments as of May 23.
“Imagine getting booked and hearing the officer read the evidence list: ‘One crowbar, three biscuits, a side of shrimp’,” Carrie Davis wrote on the department’s Facebook page.
“If you ever want to solve the debate on whether Popeyes or Chick-fil-A is better ... well, nobody ever broke into a Chick-fil-A and stopped to eat,” Chad Holleman Robinette posted.
Greensboro is about a 90-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.
This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 6:22 AM with the headline "‘Biscuit Bandit’ breaks into Popeyes at 5 a.m. and starts cooking, NC police say."