Argonaut Burglarized Again
It happened last night. What did the thieves take? Three cases of PBR. I'm not sure how they got inside.
posted by inked at 4:19 PM
Monday, August 23, 2010
Send tips and questions to elise.bernard@gmail.com
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51 Comments:
Sorry to laugh, but the only thing they took was some PBR. Either there was nothing to take, or they were out for a beer run.
seriously, do they have an updated security system? I haven't been in a long time, but are they a target because of the construction or that the windows are boarded up?
Aug 23, 2010, 4:28:00 PM
They have an updated security system and new windows. I've been told it was the security system that alarmed the police and owner. They may not have had enough time to steal more. I wonder if its the same low lives who broke in last time.
Aug 23, 2010, 4:38:00 PM
PBR? So, were the thieves a couple of hipsters?
Aug 23, 2010, 4:46:00 PM
Joe Englert said:
They had on straw hats and wife beaters and were singing Arcade Fire tunes.
Aug 23, 2010, 4:57:00 PM
considering the frequency, maybe it's an inside job.
Aug 23, 2010, 5:28:00 PM
@anon 5:28, I'm starting to wonder the same thing. Longtime fan and patron of the Argo from the very beginning—but too much bad luck makes me a bit suspicious. Especially as this pattern doesn't match the H Street business climate as a whole.
Aug 23, 2010, 5:34:00 PM
Umm,
so you think employees broke into the bar to steal PBR? I'd say that the construction makes the Argo more of a target. It's isolated from all the other places on H Street, but it could be that you don't know about the burglary patterns on H Street. Recall that Pap and Petey's was hit at least three times, and I think Sidamo was hit twice. Rags 2 Riches (across from the Argo) was cleaned out.
Aug 23, 2010, 5:48:00 PM
If it was an inside job, more than 3 PBR would be gone. Police response is slow. They like to blame the alarm companies, but it's long way from the 7-11 magazine stand to the Argonault.
Aug 23, 2010, 5:49:00 PM
doesn't necessarily have to be employees... perhaps contractor's employees who have worked or are working on the building. Just a theory...not like it's unheard of.
Aug 23, 2010, 6:11:00 PM
@inked, I honestly can't imagine anyone breaking into *anywhere* to steal 3 cases of PBR. But while I'm not as plugged in as you are, IIRC the burglaries at Sidamo and P&P's were 2-3 years ago. In my book, that's a generation ago here. So my comment about recent patterns stands. But I certainly can't argue with your archive, so I won't!
Aug 23, 2010, 6:39:00 PM
Joe Englert said:
Hey, you Sherlocks who say it was an inside job.........come and interview my staff. What idiocy. The damn building is boarded up because the insurance company is slow getting us funded and replacing windows. There are professional crooks who prey on such situations. Right now with the construction, the darkness, the lack of electricity, it is not a terrific corner. But wait a few months and then check it out. It will be one of the best corners in D.C. Please don't hide behind the internet and accuse hard-working people of crimes, petty or otherwise. Very cheap.
Aug 23, 2010, 7:33:00 PM
Hey Joe Why don't you relax. I'm the original person who made the comment abt it possibly being an inside job. It wasn't an accusation just a theory. It could be wrong or it could be right. As a business owner, I'm sure you've ran into the occasional dishonest employee. If you haven't then you have been very fortunate. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to still be respectful of others opinions rather than label a comment you don't like as idiocy. Regards, Bernard on 12th Street
Aug 23, 2010, 8:30:00 PM
Joe Englert said:
Bernard, inside job means you are accusing one of my employees of being a theif or one of my contractors a thief. I think if you said this in public or wrote it on a piece of paper and signed it, and it was not true (which I am 100% sure it isn't) true, you could be sued for libel or slander. It is too easy to just throw a careless comment up on the internet. Think about what you write.
Aug 23, 2010, 8:38:00 PM
Joe Englert:
Okay, was it the woman cook from El Salvador who works three jobs to feed her kids? Did she drive back into town to steal 3 cases of PBR?
Was it my Gautemalan cook who works 80 hours a week in the kitchen or as a carpenter? Did he leave his house in Upper Northwest at 12:00 midnight to steal bad beer?
Oh yeah, maybe it was the Christian electrician and plumber I have used for 15 years. He drove from Culpepper Virginia to steal his PBR.
Oh no, wait, maybe it was my nephew the handyman. He left Ocean City at 11 p.m. and drove 180 miles an hour to get some free beer at midnight on his first off day in 3 weeks.
Maybe it was me. I slept walked and drove 7 miles from my house for PBR at midnight on a Sunday. Maybe we all were in on it.
Aug 23, 2010, 8:47:00 PM
Hey Joe Thanks for the advice on thinking before writing. I'll try and remember that next time I suggest something perfectly within the realm of possibility. I believe my exact quote was "considering the frequency, maybe it's an inside job". I think the operative word here is maybe. I don't remember saying anything more definitive than that or accusing any one particular employee or contractor. Perhaps you should take your own advice re thinking before typing next time you label an opinion (maybe even an improbable one) as idiocy. Bernard
Aug 23, 2010, 8:51:00 PM
Bernard,
I am simply showing you that your particular theory involves REAL human beings. EVERYTHING is in the realm of possibility. But all I know is, I didn't sleep last night because of the incident. Either did a couple of dedicated employees who came and met with the police and helped with the report. Either did my nephew who had to secure the place nor did Scott who had to monitor the situation from Boston while trying to take a vacation. Bernard, I love you but I am really cranky right now. I will buy you a beer next time I see you and give you a big bear man hug. Awright?
Aug 23, 2010, 8:59:00 PM
I bet it was Santa Claus from the Pug. He's broken into a place or two before. Can anybody provide an alibi for him?
Aug 23, 2010, 8:59:00 PM
Joe--happy to take you up on the offer. Apologies to you and your staff if my post came across the wrong way...I probably typed it after watching an episode of Law and Order. Bernard
Aug 23, 2010, 10:16:00 PM
Have the not figured out how to lock the windows?
Seriously. NE is a pit. Just bulldoze Trinidad.
Aug 24, 2010, 7:47:00 AM
"Oh yeah, maybe it was the Christian electrician and plumber I have used for 15 years. He drove from Culpepper Virginia to steal his PBR."
Why is his religion relevant? Are Christians less likely than, say, Wiccans, atheists, or Hindus to steal?
Aug 24, 2010, 8:07:00 AM
hillman,
hes just painting a picture of his employees. relax.
Aug 24, 2010, 9:03:00 AM
Perhaps there should be a post about the frequency of non-violent crime near H St. I live on Wylie and there have been two car thefts, a few smash and grabs, and at least two houses broken into.. in maybe 4 months on a single block. I'm glad there is major effort to deal with violent crime, but theft / crmie of opportunity is a reality of our neighborhood.
Aug 24, 2010, 9:22:00 AM
Fair to say Anon 7:47am is an idiot?? Stay out of NE if it's a "pit" to you.
Aug 24, 2010, 9:26:00 AM
Sticky Rice has a PBR special when it rains. Argo should have a PBR special to commemorate this.
Aug 24, 2010, 9:28:00 AM
Yes Anon 7:47 is and idiot. H St area isn't even in Trinidad. If you're going to go around neighborhood trashing, at least know what area you are talking about!
Aug 24, 2010, 9:36:00 AM
NW is a pit. With crime ridden areas like Sarsum Corda, just bulldoze the entire quadrant.
Aug 24, 2010, 10:59:00 AM
Joe Englert said:
Sorry, Hillman. I meant cannibal. He is a cannibal from Southern Virginia. If you think I consider Christians better than Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Shintos or Animists, you are mistaken. Of course Scientology is the only one and true religion.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:08:00 AM
After living with an addict for several years, the first thing I thought, when I saw this happened, was that someone at the Pug has a substance abuse problem.
Mysterious fire burns down the place (possibly concealing a theft), $700 in cash is mysteriously stolen, no leads..., then another break in, but all that was missing was some beer. Any of these in isolation, one could easily chalk up to the uphappy risks you take of operating a business in DC, but taken as a whole, in such a short period of time, it is troubling.
If anyone has ever been close to an addict, i'm sure you could see the similarities.
Also, I may be a cynic, but I could see the attempted break in at Toyland as a way to try and throw someone off the trail "oh string of robberies at bars on H St. must not be specific to the Argo"
I would just say that those close to the Argonaut should take an objective look, and see if anyone needs help with a substance abuse problem.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:09:00 AM
oh, sorry, I meant someone at the Argo has a substance abuse problem.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:10:00 AM
Santa left the pug for a summer christmas party and has not returned. I have no alibi for him. Maybe it was some of those gays looking for beer to have at one of their sinful wedding receptions. Like i've said, if we controled the gays, the other bad stuff will go away. Joe, scot, et al, hang in there.
tonyt
the pug
Aug 24, 2010, 11:21:00 AM
Friend of Bill W.,
the fire only really destroyed the kitchen and immediate bar area. It caused massive smoke damage. The office, basement, and upstairs bar were untouched by the fire (which appears to be an electrical fire). The money wasn't stolen from the restaurant, but rather was in a car that was stolen from a CVS parking lot. The cops actually chased the car.
The fact is that beak ins on H Street are all that uncommon (not saying they happen all the time). I will say that it appears tht the same people like to hit a place more than once. The break-ins at Pap & Petey's/Toyland (one of which occurred after Pap & Petey's closed, but before Toyland opened) appeared to be the work of the same group more than one time. I have also know residents of the area where police have suspected that the same individual returned to hit the place again.
Like Joe Englert said, these are pros who hit up spots like this. Construction sites are attractive because they can steal and easily resell the tools.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:29:00 AM
Joe Englert said:
Tony T. I think it is time you faced an intervention. It is time you got the cheese puffs out of your life. Think of your wife and children.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:30:00 AM
I have seen no mention of the rooftop burgulars. Unik Style and the pawn shop were burglarized a few months ago. Unik Style by way of a hole from the empty space next door. They burrowed like rats and stole J's inventory.
Yesterday I believe the check cashing place was robbed by way of the roof (another empty tenant space) and then a hole cut through the wall.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:43:00 AM
11:43,
I am aware of numerous roof robberies over the year. I think that's what happened to Rags2Riches, and maybe to Euro Designs at one point.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:54:00 AM
Joe,
i'm actually at the beach on a VACATION with my family and in laws. The bars here are not classy enuff to have cheese balls. I'm jonesing badly for a fix. I'm going to start burning down bars until i can find some cheesy snacks or a new definition for vacation.
tonyt
the pug
pbr for the argo's beer week event?
Aug 24, 2010, 12:05:00 PM
Pro's don't break into a place to steal PBR.
There are plenty of out of work DC natives, why do you have a El Salvadoran and a Gautemalan?
Aug 24, 2010, 1:03:00 PM
Hey, Anon 1:03
1) They got some pvc pipe along with their PBR.
2) Jobs abound in D.C. Ask any owner of a business on H. We are short of staff almost daily at MOST restaurants and bars. This holds not only on this strip but all throughout the city. If you aren't working in D.C., then you aren't looking very hard.
Aug 24, 2010, 1:26:00 PM
A rainy day at the beach has helped me learn so many things on f tropics. the gays are ruining the moral fiber of the city but it doesn't really matter because they'll be darwined out of existence soon(if you believe that evolution hocus pocus) and,!,!, there are plenty of dc natives looking for work. What small business are you running with all those dc natives working for you? It's definitely easier to hire people who speak a different language, but i'm still curious. if i hire an amrican from kentucky does that count as a strike against hiring a dc native?
tonyt
the pug
Aug 24, 2010, 2:53:00 PM
Oy. This sure turned into a cluster-eff, didn't it?
Anyone who has any suspicion of the Argo staff should come down and see the place for themselves. We've stuck with it through this mess because we're a family. I can say with 100% confidence that none of us area capable of knocking off Argo for a few cases of cheap beer. We love it too much.
Aug 24, 2010, 4:23:00 PM
Joe:
I've found cannibals to be among the sweetest people you'll meet.
Of course, they'll say the same about you.
Ha ha ha ha.
Cannibal humor. You just can't go wrong.
Aug 24, 2010, 4:56:00 PM
"2) Jobs abound in D.C. Ask any owner of a business on H. We are short of staff almost daily at MOST restaurants and bars. This holds not only on this strip but all throughout the city. If you aren't working in D.C., then you aren't looking very hard."
I have to second that. The construction and renovation/repair industries are still grossly understaffed in DC.
It's still a multi-year wait for really good firms.
Ditto for what we would think of as low-skill or semi-skill construction professions. Like basic handyman jobs.
And landscaping companies.
There are plenty of jobs in DC.
Just maybe not the jobs people want.
Aug 24, 2010, 5:01:00 PM
happy to replace the 3 stolen cases if we can run a $1 special called, "this beer's so cheap I don't even need to steal it!"
seems easier than trying to figure out whodunnit, right?
Dan - the PBR guy (seriously, I'm the PBR rep on the block)
Aug 24, 2010, 5:04:00 PM
Uh, Dan, there were about a dozen cases stolen from my house.
I'll be expecting you with replacements no later than this weekend....
Wear something sexy.
Aug 24, 2010, 5:08:00 PM
If I stop by with a 6 pack of PBR to give to the bar, would it help?
Aug 24, 2010, 5:11:00 PM
Hillman,
dan the pbr rep is hot, but i don't think he''s gay. He'ld show up at your house wearing a pbr hoodie and a hipster pbr trucker hat. If he's a fornicater, maybe he can be the stickball league comish.
tony
gentrificater
the pug
Aug 24, 2010, 6:38:00 PM
Tony:
Straight dudes can wear something sexy even if they are straight.
No law against that.
Aug 24, 2010, 7:12:00 PM
Hillman,
I understand that the good Reverend Jackson is currently soliciting signatures for a DC ballot initiative under which all straight men would be required to dress in a way that would make them unattractive to gay men. Ditto for chicks.
Aug 24, 2010, 7:30:00 PM
I believe straight men can dress sexy. Rock hudson always seemed fairly dashing. I'm also believe no resolution would br needed for me to appear unattractive to gays or straights. Especislly at closing time.
tonyt
Aug 24, 2010, 7:42:00 PM
This is one of the most entertaining threads I've read in a while. Hillman, tony t, and Joe Englert on stage for one special evening.
I'm going to miss this place. But thanks to the Internet and Ink's tireless work, I'll watch Trinidad/H Street from afar.
Aug 25, 2010, 12:15:00 AM
"I understand that the good Reverend Jackson is currently soliciting signatures for a DC ballot initiative under which all straight men would be required to dress in a way that would make them unattractive to gay men. Ditto for chicks."
Yes, it's true.
But unfortunately the good Reverend started his campaign at the recent Scissor Sisters concert at DAR.
Turns out that wasn't a wise use of his resources.
But, then, no less wise than spending all this $$ collected from his congregation on preventing gay marriage while there are literally starving AIDS babies in Africa, a culture of unwed mothers in his own backyard, and a serious flood in Pakistan.
But, hey. As long as you get on TV I guess...
Aug 25, 2010, 7:26:00 AM
Wow. I'm late on this thread, but can I just say that the bitching and cat-fighting in this thread is really, really making me miss the H Street area? I used to bartend at Sova, lived in Trinidad, and have now moved to Rwanda for a year for work. I still read this blog from all the way around the world just for exchanges like this one!
Aug 27, 2010, 3:30:00 AM
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