El Burrito Mercado is offering up to $1,000 as a reward for help catching the thief who made off with a corn roaster this past weekend.

The roaster is a popular attraction at fairs and festivals, as well as the market itself on St. Paul’s West Side. Surveillance footage captures images of a man backing a truck up to the roaster at 4:39 a.m. Sunday and making off with it.

“Who would steal a corn roaster?” asked Milissa Silva-Diaz, co-owner of the 37-year-old family business.

The roaster belonged to her father. The family is offering a $500 reward for information leading to its recovery, or $1,000 if it also leads to a criminal conviction.

The market has two remaining roasters.

The roaster is typically stored in a shed when not in use, Silva-Diaz said. Set to appear at separate festivals Saturday and Sunday, they opted to store it in a covered and hidden spot behind their market overnight Saturday.

“They put it where no one would see it,” said assistant general manager Ramon Campos.

St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster said investigators reviewed the store’s surveillance camera. The footage shows a man next to the pickup truck used to haul away the corn roaster.

Police reports described the man as Hispanic, medium build and possibly in his 30s. The vehicle was a white pickup truck, possibly a GMC.

St. Paul police have assigned an investigator to the case.

It would cost about $15,000 to replace the corn roaster, Silva-Diaz said. While insurance might cover costs, there is sentimental value.

It’s “frustrating because my parents built this business,” she said. “The corn roaster is kind of a staple item to our family and to the business and to the community.”

Before her father, Tomas Silva, came to the United States, he made a living in Mexico by selling corn. When he started up shop in the United States, he had one corn roaster.

“That’s why it’s so sentimental to our family,” Silva-Diaz said.

Tomas Silva and his wife, Maria, have retired. Silva-Diaz now operates the business with her sister and niece.

El Burrito Mercado is asking that anybody who has information about this theft to call police or the market at 651-227-2192; tips may also be emailed to info@elburritomercado.com.