Madonna Inn offering cash reward for rug stolen for fifth time
Editor's Note: The Madonna Inn Run was returned. The rug arrived at the Inn via FedEx, with no name and no return address.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - In San Luis Obispo, thieves have once again stolen a custom-designed welcome rug from the steakhouse at the Madonna Inn.
If you’ve been to the inn’s steakhouse, you know the custom designed rug is a familiar part of that first impression of elegance as you enter the world-famous Gold Rush Steakhouse.
Two masked young men are shown stealing the welcome rug before fleeing via a getaway vehicle in security footage provided by the Madonna Inn.
“I was just like, really, again, because the last time this is our fifth time, we've had them take a rug twice this year,” says Amanda Rich, Madonna Inn’s marketing director.
A third person at the wheel of the car, ready to drive off, leads management to believe this repeated theft is being planned well in advance.
“We are constantly in touch with the police department. So we're just trying to get to the bottom of it. And, you know, I know they think it's probably just a prank, but it affects a lot of us,” says Rich.
The rug has been stolen five times since 2021.
“It's really sad that anybody would even attempt to do something like that. So, and to hear that it's happened five times is like, incredible,” says Madelyn Cristal, who visited the inn today from San Diego.
Police are working with the inn to investigate this carpet caper and managers are working to take matters into their own hands, considering new security measures like digital tracking tags.
“This is the first time we're actually offering $500 cash reward to anybody who has any information. And we'll provide that to the police department and they can just email us,” says Rich.
Hotel staff suspect a cal poly fraternity is behind the thefts, as part of an ongoing prank or hazing ritual.
“I would like to make sure that it gets out so that it doesn't happen again. And the person who is responsible for it gets caught,” says Melanie Billingsley, accompanying her friend Ms. Cristal, also from San Diego.
“It is there for a purpose. And now we have to have like a temporary rug until we can order a new one, because it you know, it takes time. They're expensive,” says marketing director Rich.
Anyone with information is encouraged to email the hotel or contact the San Luis Obispo police department.
