Popular Ice Cream Truck Damaged by Thieves, Taken Off Road

TOLLAND/HARTFORD COUNTIES, CT — A popular ice cream truck that makes the rounds across north-central Connecticut had its season cut short because of vandalism and theft.

The owner of the Nana's Ice Cream truck, Mary Neumeister, said in a Saturday Facebook post that the season was over, for at least the remainder of this season and perhaps "permanently."

The business is based in Stafford.

Neumeister said the truck was broken into and "severely damaged." The ice cream was also stolen, she said.

The damage includes "a couple of feet of my pipe" cut out along with the truck's catalytic converter.

Neumeister said her other truck was already out of commission because of needed repairs.

The Nana's truck has been a mainstay over the year at events like fireworks, carnivals, fairs, sports tournaments, school field days, graduations, summer camps, daycares, and lakes and pools, but the season has been abbreviated because of coronavirus restrictions.

Neumeister said she "did stick it out" by driving around area neighborhoods and "a few birthday parties."

"I really don't know where to go from here right now, I just don't know," she said.

The community is rallying to raise some repair money. Stafford resident Jennifer Owens, who owns Dragonfly Nutrition and Energy in Vernon has set up a fundraising campaign on Facebook.

As of Monday afternoon, a total of $3,442 has been pledged on a goal of $5,000. See the fundraiser details here.