Co-founder of popular Carrabba’s arrested

Carrabba's founders Johnny Carrabba, left, and his uncle Damian Mandola are shown in 2002. Carrabba's founders Johnny Carrabba, left, and his uncle Damian Mandola are shown in 2002. Photo: Chronicle File Photo: Chronicle File Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Co-founder of popular Carrabba’s arrested 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Noted restaurateur Damian Mandola was free on bail Friday after his arrest in Hays County on burglary charges.

Mandola, co-founder of the Carrabba's Italian restaurant chain, was taken into custody Thursday and released the next day after posting $5,000 bail, according to court records.

Hays County sheriff's officials would not confirm details about the case other than to confirm the charge was burglary of a building.

They referred questions to the Hays County District Attorney's Office, who could not be reached for comment later Friday.

However, the Houston Press reported on Friday that Mandola, 61, was charged with burglary at a winery near one of his eateries, Trattoria Lisina, in the Hays County town of Driftwood, southwest of Austin.

Although the Carrabba's chain was started in Houston, Mandola lives in Driftwood.

Mandola and his nephew Johnny Carrabba opened the first Carrabba's, on Kirby, in 1986. The chain includes restaurants in Houston, Florida and North Carolina.

Chron.com's Dana Thompson contributed to this report.