BOISE, Idaho — The Caldwell Police Department on Thursday announced an autographed College of Idaho football helmet has been recovered after it was stolen from Indian Creek Steakhouse.
Police said the cherished item was stolen on Saturday, April 13, from behind the popular restaurant's hostess counter. The owner of the steakhouse told KTVB the gold Yotes helmet had been on display for 10 years, alongside a purple helmet.
After taking an official police report on Tuesday, April 16, officers were unsuccessful in locating the suspect until Wednesday night. Police said the helmet was recovered and returned to the Indian Creek Steakhouse manager.
21-year-old Gabriel Martinez and 21-year-old Adilene Hernandez are both facing theft charges, according to Caldwell Police.
As previously reported, the steakhouse often hosts team dinners for the football team and has a close relationship with the college, attended by a handful of employees.
The athletics department at the College of Idaho worked quickly to gift Indian Creek a new helmet after the purple one was stolen. The new piece of Yotes memorabilia is white and signed by the current football team.
Emily Williams, the general manager of Indian Creek Steakhouse, told KTVB the staff hoped its display could feature three helmets covering C of I's colors if the purple one was recovered. The trio is now together behind the hostess counter:
"We are also immensely grateful for the tips from our vigilant community members, whose keen observations led to the swift arrest of the suspects," Indian Creek Steakhouse said on Facebook. "This truly shows the power of community teamwork!"
Williams said there was no one at the hostess stand at the time the helmet was taken, as the restaurant side of the building was about to close. Indian Creek shared screenshots with KTVB from surveillance video capturing the man, confirmed to be Martinez by Caldwell Police.
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