Mama's y Papa's owner JePaul Woolard's food trailer is missing

Mama's y Papa's Taqueria owner JePaul Woolard, a 14-year military veteran is missing his food trailer. Woolard reported that he noticed the trailer gone between Saturday evening and Monday morning. Captain Russell of the Kinston Police Department confirmed the incident was being investigated.

“I just got the truck operational in September after waiting all this year for the inspection. I am losing all of the events and clientele I've built in three months,” said Woolard.

After his time in the military, Woolard worked overseas but struggled to find a job when he returned to the US even as a veteran, but he knew he wanted to serve his community and found that he loved to cook and loved people.

“I remembered a food truck in Indiana on a military base there and the lady sold burritos for breakfast and we'd line up like you wouldn't believe. And that was my first real idea of a food truck. I knew I loved to cook, and I am a people person,” said Woolard.

The trailer, which housed the mobile restaurant serving Mama’s y Papa’s Taqueria menu items including tacos with a variety of toppings, was valued at $25,000.

“It is my dream to serve Kinston with great food and family fun for all,” said Woolard. His diner is located at 1503 Rouse Road in Kinston.

Woolard hopes to recover the food trailer to continue the expansion of his business to continue to serve Kinston. “Being in the military, you learn to adapt and overcome, adjust,” said Woolard.