Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant posted on social media Tuesday morning to inform its customers about a break-in at the Gentry Parkway location. A man has been arrested and charged with burglary.

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A man has been charged with burglary after a popular Tyler restaurant was broken into Tuesday morning.

Timothy Gardner, 26, of Tyler, was arrested Tuesday after allegedly breaking into Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant at 2021 E. Gentry Parkway.

Ruby’s management discovered the break-in around 6:30 a.m., saying the suspect “ransacked the place.” A window was broken to enter the restaurant.

“Thank God none of our employees were hurt,” Ruby’s said in a Facebook post.

According to the restaurant, the suspect was still in the building when employees pulled up Tuesday morning.

Gardner was charged with burglary of building along with a drug possession charge. He was booked into the Smith County Jail.

“We want to thank our Tyler Police Officers for responding right away and finding this guy,” Ruby’s said in a Facebook post. “Our most important priority is our employees and their safety and they can now (breathe a little) knowing this guy is off the streets.”

Tyler Police Department spokesperson Andy Erbaugh told our news partners at CBS19 it’s unknown at this time what Gardner may have stolen.

The restaurant thanked its customers and community supporters for reaching out to check on the staff.

Owner Ruby Abarca has multiple other locations of her restaurant in East Texas including two in Tyler, at 813 Lindsey Lane and 2502 S. Broadway, and one in White Oak at 723 W. U.S. Highway 80.

The Gentry Parkway location is the original restaurant, which opened in August 2020. Three and a half years later, Abarca has expanded to have four restaurants along with a food truck. A fifth location is planned in Jacksonville.

Abarca has come a long way since the beginnings of her restaurant, starting with just $21 in her pocket serving from home.

— Gallacher can be reached at santana@mrobertsmedia.com.