Only in Augusta: Burglar Skips Cash at Maryland Fried Chicken to Feast on Coleslaw

 In a city accustomed to late-night headlines, Augusta woke up Saturday to a burglary story that sounded more like a comedy sketch than a crime report. A man broke into Maryland Fried Chicken on Broad Street in the early morning hours, walked past cash sitting in plain view, and headed straight for the cooler where the coleslaw and potato salad were stored.

The suspect, identified as Tyreze Dantignac, reportedly spent nearly three hours inside the downtown restaurant, treating the closed kitchen like his personal dining room. While money rested untouched on top of the office safe, he helped himself to generous portions of sides, leaving behind a scene that puzzled investigators and amused locals who later heard the unusual details.

Security footage from the restaurant shows a break-in through a rear door, followed by a surprisingly relaxed visit. Instead of rushing to grab valuables, the intruder moved calmly between the prep tables and the walk-in cooler, sampling food, sitting down, and apparently making himself comfortable during the overnight hours before slipping away as dawn approached downtown Augusta.

For the owners of Maryland Fried Chicken, a longtime Broad Street staple known for its fried chicken, biscuits, and Southern sides, the incident was both frustrating and bewildering. The damage to the door and the loss of inventory will cost money to repair, but the fact that cash was ignored while coleslaw disappeared has turned the case into a talking point across downtown Augusta.

Dantignac is described as a repeat offender familiar to local law enforcement, and the unusual nature of this break-in has only added to his reputation. Burglaries involving food are not unheard of, especially when hunger, homelessness, or substance use are factors, but spending hours inside a restaurant for potato salad instead of the register is rare enough to make even seasoned officers shake their heads.

The story quickly spread through Augusta's tight-knit food community, with other restaurant owners checking their own locks and sharing a mix of sympathy and humor online. Some joked about adding extra security to the mac and cheese, while others pointed out the serious reality that small businesses operate on very thin margins and any break-in, regardless of what is taken, creates real stress and expense.

Experts note that commercial burglaries often target quick cash, electronics, or alcohol, making this case an outlier that highlights how unpredictable motives can be. For restaurant operators, the incident is a reminder to secure not only cash drawers and safes but also back doors, coolers, and alarm systems, and to review camera placement to ensure full coverage during closed hours.

As the investigation continues, Maryland Fried Chicken is cleaning up, repairing the damage, and preparing to reopen with its usual menu of comfort food. In a strange way, the coleslaw caper has brought the community together, with loyal customers stopping by to offer support and share a good laugh about a burglar who ignored the money and went straight for the sides that make Augusta's soul food so beloved.