A local popcorn food truck that was stolen Thursday night or Friday morning in Alexandria was found in Prince George's County less than 24 hours later thanks to social media.
Local blog POPville first reported the incident.
Rich Arslan, who owns Popped! with his wife, told NBC Washington that the truck came in from D.C. around 8 p.m. Thursday and could have been taken anywhere from 9 p.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Friday. Despite growing sales online and through retail, the truck is 90 percent of Popped's business.
"It's what allows me to pay my rent, pay back my small business loan and pay my employees," Arslan said.
A News4 viewer contacted us on Twitter Friday evening, saying he had spotted the truck near his work in Forestville.
@nbcwashington @News4Today @PoppedRepublic. THIS is crazy but this truck is across the street from my work 3900 Penn belt place Forestville
— Paul Thomas (@Paulyice) November 21, 2014
Alexandria and Prince George's County police were notified, and the truck was officially located by 9 p.m.
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Just got off the phone with PG County Police--- truck has been recovered. Awaiting call from recovering officer. @AlexandriaVAPD #DMVFTA
— Popped! Republic (@PoppedRepublic) November 22, 2014
@AlexandriaVAPD @PoppedRepublic sorry we didn't report it earlier but it never crossed our minds it was stolen until it was on news4
— Paul Thomas (@Paulyice) November 22, 2014
The first Popped! Republic truck hit D.C. streets in 2012, according to the company's website.