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K-Bop STL asking for help after food truck stolen

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St. Louis Food‑Truck Owner Appeals to Community After K‑Bop’s Vehicle Stolen

On the night of September 6, 2025, a routine evening at a downtown food‑truck rally turned into a nightmare for the owner of K‑Bop STL, a popular Korean‑fusion truck that has been serving the St. Louis community for over three years. The truck, a 2017 Ford Transit Custom that had been fully equipped for culinary service, was stolen from a designated parking spot on 9th Street, and the loss has sent shockwaves through the local food‑truck circuit.

The theft was discovered early the next morning when the truck’s owner, Jang Kim, drove to the lot to pick up the crew’s lunch order and found the vehicle gone, along with a significant portion of the food‑service equipment, an estimated $12,000 in inventory, and a custom stainless‑steel grill that had taken a year to finish. Kim immediately contacted the St. Louis Police Department, and a report was filed at 6:15 a.m. The incident was logged as a “commercial vehicle theft” under Police Department Case # SLPD-25‑0942.

“I knew something was wrong when I didn’t see my truck parked where it should be,” Kim said. “I’m still trying to process that we lost not only a vehicle but a major part of our livelihood.”

The K‑Bop STL truck was secured with an electronic immobilizer system that locks the engine when the key is removed. Yet thieves are reportedly adept at bypassing such systems. According to a recent police briefing, the device had been disabled using a custom tool, and the truck was likely removed within 20 minutes of its disappearance.

Police officials have urged the public to come forward if they saw anyone near the lot around the time of the theft. The St. Louis Police Department posted a request for information on its official website (https://www.stlpolice.org), offering a $500 reward for anyone who can provide reliable details that lead to the recovery of the vehicle or the apprehension of the culprits. Officers are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby storefronts and traffic cameras, hoping to spot a vehicle matching the truck’s description leaving the area.

Kim, who has run K‑Bop STL out of a rented commercial kitchen in the historic Soulard district, explained that the loss is more than a financial setback—it’s a blow to the community. “K‑Bop has been part of this neighborhood for years,” Kim said. “We’ve hired three people, trained them, and invested in quality ingredients. Losing the truck means losing a home for our crew, our loyal customers, and our culinary identity.”

In an effort to mitigate the fallout, Kim has turned to several support avenues. First, she has filed an insurance claim with First National Insurance (https://www.firstnationalinsurance.com/claims) under her commercial auto coverage. While the insurer is processing the claim, Kim’s coverage limits are expected to pay for the truck’s replacement and the lost inventory, but she estimates it will take 90 days for full reimbursement. The claim is still pending a forensic assessment, which the insurance company has scheduled for next week.

Additionally, Kim has launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com) under the title “Help K‑Bop STL Get Back on the Road.” The campaign highlights the loss of the truck and the associated impact on her employees’ wages, while promising a heartfelt thank‑you to all donors, including a special meal for each contributor. Since going live, the campaign has garnered more than 200 donations, totaling $8,500, and has received praise from local food‑truck enthusiasts on social media.

K‑Bop STL’s social‑media presence, particularly its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kbopstl), has been instrumental in rallying community support. Posts featuring behind‑the‑scenes footage of the truck’s preparation, photos of the custom grill, and messages from satisfied customers have driven traffic to the fundraiser and increased the visibility of the theft. A local influencer, @StLouisEats, shared a video of the incident, further amplifying the call for help.

The incident is not isolated. In the past year, St. Louis has seen an uptick in commercial vehicle thefts, prompting city officials to recommend additional security measures for food‑truck operators. According to the city’s 2025 Urban Safety Report, the number of thefts involving motorized food‑service vehicles rose by 18 % compared to the previous year. In response, the St. Louis Mayor’s Office has issued new guidelines advising food‑truck owners to invest in advanced GPS tracking, reinforced lock systems, and partnerships with local law enforcement.

Kim’s appeal extends beyond immediate financial relief. “We want to rebuild,” she says, “but we also want to make sure something like this doesn’t happen to anyone else.” To that end, she is hosting a community meeting on September 12 at the Soulard Community Center to discuss safety protocols and explore collective security measures. Food‑truck owners from across the city will attend, sharing best practices and forming a support network.

While the police continue to investigate and the insurance claim processes, K‑Bop STL’s future remains uncertain. Yet the story has already galvanized a sense of solidarity among St. Louis’ culinary scene. As Kim’s fundraiser and community outreach efforts unfold, the city’s food‑truck community is standing together, ready to help a friend and protect the vibrant street‑food culture that defines the city.

For more updates on the case, including the police investigation and insurance claim progress, follow the St. Louis Police Department’s official updates on https://www.stlpolice.org and the insurance claim portal at https://www.firstnationalinsurance.com/claims. For those who wish to contribute to the fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com. Finally, stay connected with K‑Bop STL’s journey by following their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kbopstl.


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