Band’s Performance Shadows Theft Incident
While the Blu-Print band played their blend of funk, soul, and blues at El Ranchito in Oak Cliff on Saturday afternoon, they were unaware of a troubling event unfolding outside.
Theft in Broad Daylight
Singer Crystal Huff noted, “We’re doing something good, meanwhile somebody’s outside and doing the worst.” Later, surveillance footage would reveal a distressing theft occurring in broad daylight.
Quick Heist
Two suspects took only three minutes to steal the band’s pickup truck and cargo trailer from a nearby Fiesta supermarket parking lot. Band manager and bassist James Byerly expressed his heartache, saying, “I wish I hadn’t seen the video now… it’s a gut-wrenching feeling.”
Parking Challenges
Due to a lack of parking spaces at the restaurant, Byerly had parked his 2001 Chevy Silverado and the trailer at the supermarket after a suggestion from others. It wasn’t until the band was ready to leave around 4:53 p.m. that they discovered their vehicle was missing.
Surveillance Evidence
Initially thinking the truck might have been towed, they later confirmed through surveillance cameras that a four-door Z71 Chevy Silverado backed up next to their locked truck at the time of the theft. The exact method the suspects used to break in remains unclear.
Financial and Emotional Impact
Byerly indicated he had invested around $17,000 into the truck, with additional modifications to the trailer, estimating the total loss to be around $65,000. Although the truck is insured, the equipment was not, leading him to consider filing a claim through his home insurance.
Future Uncertain
With at least one show already canceled and increasing concerns about police response, Byerly expressed his frustration with the system, lamenting the lack of immediate action from the police regarding thefts in Dallas. He mentioned that experiencing such a theft after 28 years of dedication feels like a major setback, prompting him to reevaluate future performances in certain areas.
The Dallas Police Department is currently investigating the incident under case number 084913-2025.
