Image from midtownlunch.com

BROOKLYN, NY – Cynthia Hosein made her dreams come true last year, investing around $70,000 in a food truck, a truck that police say was stolen.

“I put everything into that truck, it was bought with my credit cards, I borrowed money,” said Hosein. “I wasn’t sure if it was a prank or it was real.”

Cynthia says on Saturday night, her truck was in the parking lot behind her family’s restaurant on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The next day she came to work and realized her truck was gone.

“How I’m going to pay my bills, I have car payments, I have rent, I have other bills to pay, what am I going to do?” Hosein said.

For decades, Cynthia’s parents have owned Nio’s Trinidadian Roti Shop in East Flatbush. They serve all kinds of Caribbean dishes, including curry goat, chicken, and Kurma, a crunchy sweet snack. Cynthia makes a living by selling this food to New Yorkers on the go.

“I came here everyday, I actually purchased the food from the restaurant,” Hosein said.

Her mother Zorine worries the crime will never be solved.

“It’s really sad, it was just parked up there, and someone came up and stole the truck and drive away,” Hosein said.

Cynthia served up her family’s fare five days a week in the Financial District and also East Flatbush. Regular customers say they can’t believe this has happened.

“That’s sad, that’s real sad, I’m gonna miss it,” said one customer.

“Usually I go for a walk, I grab one of the curry slice, stew chicken and rice and peas, and I’m not going to get that anymore, it’s going to remove the flavor that I enjoy at lunch,” said another customer.

Cynthia’s hope now is that someone out there has information on the theft and that they call police.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

UPDATE: 5/3/2013

Hours after this story was posted, things turned around for her.

“The sergeant had called me on Monday morning, notifying me that the truck was discovered behind the park,” she said. “I was really relieved. I was happy. I thought maybe I’d never see the truck again.”

It was discovered parked on Farragut Road near East 31st Street. Hosein said it appears the thief or thieves took it for a joy ride and then dumped it, and although nothing was stolen, the outside of the truck was banged up.

That didn’t seem to bother her customers, though.

“I’m glad that you got it back,” one told her.

“I’m glad you’re OK. I’m glad she’s alright,” another told her.

“These are my friends,” said a third. “I’ve known these people for almost 15 years. Bery nice people, I’m surprised they’re doing that in the neighborhood.”

While it’s back to business as usual for Hosein, there is just one thing she would like to say.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who called in. I really appreciate it,” she said.