In what might be the most delicious crime spree of 2026, a former Little Caesars employee in Kinston, North Carolina, has redefined the concept of "working from home"—by working from his old job without permission. Police say 41-year-old Jonathon Hackett allegedly broke into the pizza chain not once, but twice, to fire up the ovens and serve customers in a bizarre rogue pizza party that has left the local community simultaneously confused and hungry. This slice of weird crime news today is quickly becoming a viral sensation, proving that for some, the pizza passion never truly dies.
The Unauthorized Special: A One-Man Pizza Heist
According to the Kinston Police Department, the first incident occurred earlier this week when Hackett allegedly forced his way into the closed restaurant under the cover of darkness. Instead of emptying the register or stealing equipment, the dedicated former employee pizza heist suspect reportedly donned an apron and got to work. Authorities say he successfully prepared and sold 10 pizzas to unsuspecting late-night patrons, pocketing roughly $50 in cash.
Customers, likely assuming the store was pulling a late shift, had no idea their "Hot-N-Ready" pies were actually "Breaking-N-Entering" specials. Witnesses described the service as surprisingly efficient, with Hackett managing the kitchen solo. The sheer audacity of the stunt has turned this Little Caesars break-in NC story into instant internet gold, with social media users dubbing it the ultimate act of "baking and entering."
Round Two: The Dough Dealer Returns
Not content with his initial success, Hackett reportedly returned to the scene of the crime just days later for a second helping. However, this time the kitchen wasn't empty. Police reports indicate that current employees were inside the building and were less than thrilled to see their former colleague attempting another hostile takeover of the pepperoni station.
A physical altercation reportedly broke out as staff members tried to prevent the "dough dealer" from entering the premises. The scuffle ended with Hackett sustaining minor injuries and being treated at a local hospital before being booked into the Lenoir County Jail. It seems the second attempt at a rogue pizza party was undercooked, leading to a swift arrest rather than another round of sales.
Charges and Community Reaction
The Kinston Police Department has charged Hackett with a buffet of felonies, including breaking and entering, obtaining property by false pretenses, and larceny. Despite the serious legal trouble, the court of public opinion has been far more lenient. As this North Carolina viral news story spreads, commenters on platforms like Reddit have jokingly praised his work ethic, with some calling him a "hero" for "seizing the means of production" quite literally.
Why This 'Funny Local News 2026' Story Matters
While we don't condone breaking into businesses to sell unauthorized snacks, the absurdity of this case highlights the strange times we live in. It’s rare to find a criminal whose primary motivation appears to be customer service. Usually, break-ins involve taking things out of a store, not putting hard work into it. For now, the residents of Kinston will have to rely on authorized employees for their Crazy Bread fix, but the legend of the phantom pizza chef will likely linger like the smell of garlic butter.
As of Sunday, Hackett remains in custody, facing the consequences of his culinary caper. It serves as a spicy reminder to business owners everywhere: sometimes your most dedicated worker is the one you already fired. Stay tuned to FunnyVot for more updates on this developing baking and entering meme saga.
