Texas Pizza Restaurant’s Response Goes Viral After Thieves Steal Tip Jar and Leave a Cowboy Hat Behind

The co-owner of a Texas pizza restaurant came up with an impressive idea to replace employees' tips after thieves ran off with their money over the holidays.

On Saturday, Dec. 28, the Facebook page for Stone Oven Pizza in Wichita Falls revealed some teenagers had stolen the tips out of the jar the night prior, but had seemingly left a cowboy hat behind.

Ryan Thomas, who is the co-owner of the eatery, told local outlet the Times Record News of the incident on Monday, Dec. 30, "I heard about it at midnight as they were closing."

Thomas decided to ask the public for help in reuniting the three employees with their missing money.

"We’re not a big fan of hats around here, however, we know the beautiful community of Wichita Falls is, and we would like to open up an auction… The highest bidder by Tuesday afternoon will win the prize of this authentic cowboy jicama-giga!" the Facebook post read, with Thomas adding snaps of the Justin Bent Rail accessory.

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"All proceeds will be divided evenly between the three team members who lost out on Tips last night! And balance will be restored to the Multiverse!" the message concluded.

However, as the post garnered attention, the real owner of the hat ended up being revealed, and it wasn't the teenagers who ran off with the tip jar.

The restaurant said in an updated message that the team had found "the original owner of the hat," adding that it wasn't "the teenager that dropped it, but the gentleman whose truck was broken into that those kids had stolen it from."

"While the owners of Stone Oven were prepared to meet this man in mutual combat to defend the wages of our team… It was the team members themselves that decided this man’s head was indeed looking cold… we will be returning the property to its’ rightful owner… do not worry the employees have been given $50 bonuses for altruism and compassion," the eatery wrote.

"Not a bad result compared to the $20 that punk kid ran off with," the post concluded, alongside a crying laughing emoji.

Co-owner Thomas said of the attention the post received, "I didn't think it would blow up like that. I know after three hours it had like 20,000 impressions," per the Times Record News.

"It's really awesome that the community has responded so adamantly," Thomas told the outlet.

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In the comments section, many people had been bidding over $100 for the cowboy hat following the incident, with a couple of people even stating they'd give $200.

"I will donate $100. Hat can still go to the highest bidder. How can I donate?" one person asked, as a different commenter joked, "Keep it and use it as your new tip jar."

A third social media user suggested, "Rather than an auction, can we just post how much of the tips we’re each willing to put up to replace? I don’t have $150, but I have an oversized heart and $20 to add toward someone else’s bid!" alongside a smiling emoji.

Stone Oven Pizza didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for a comment.

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