Hopjacks says embezzlement behind closure, also faced theft

MOBILE, Ala.(WALA) - Hopjacks served up its last pizzas and drinks Saturday night, when employees there found out they wouldn't be coming back to work after closing.

A sign posted on the door says the company discovered major mismanagement and allegations of embezzlement.

It was a tough decision for owner, Joe Abston.

"This means that we have fought a hard fight," Abston said.

It was a battle the restaurant couldn't win.

Former employee Carlie Crider said it was a devastating hit for the popular restaurant.

"Over a hundred grand," Crider said.

Crider said the money should have gone toward state taxes and license fees, which went unpaid over a two year period.

By the time it was discovered, it was too late.

"That business was doing great. It had nothing to do with the business at all," she said.

T.P. Cockmier's owner Bill Monahan is opening his bar right across the street. He said he's learned some hard lessons over the years as well.

"It's just something that you, you think you can trust people, and a lot of people will let you down, you can't trust anybody in this business," Monahan said.

Mobile Police are investigating another crime against Hopjacks as well. Police are looking for Rickey Bearden, a homeless man who police say stole checks from the office.

"The person that he was trying to get to cash it actually refused to cash it, and kept his ID, as well as the forged check. So we know that he was in possession of these checks. We now know he's the one that stole the checks and distributed them to other people," said Ashley Rains with the Mobile Police department.

Police arrested another homeless man, Antonio Herrine, who they believe also cashed some of the checks.

If you have any information on Bearden or the stolen check investigation, call Mobile Police.