Doral Restaurant Employee Arrested, Found with Stolen ‘Secret’ Books in Bike

October 31, 2025

An unusual case of alleged intellectual property theft has unfolded in Doral, where a restaurant employee was arrested and charged with a felony after the establishment’s secret recipe books went missing.

The incident occurred at Mordisco Miami, known for its Venezuelan-style steaks, appetizers, and handmade arepas. Authorities stated that the employee was taken into custody following a report that three of the restaurant’s proprietary recipe books had been stolen.

According to the report, surveillance footage proved key to the investigation, allegedly showing the worker removing the confidential books from the premises over several different days. The suspect was later located and arrested at his second job, located in a nearby food hall within the Doral area.

The severity of the offense was reflected in the formal charge: Felony — theft of trade secrets. The suspect was subsequently booked and a bond was set at $2,500 in Miami-Dade court.

Key Details of the Incident:

Location: Mordisco Miami, 10355 NW 41st St., Doral
Alleged Crime: Theft of three secret recipe books
Evidence: Surveillance footage reportedly showing the employee removing the books on multiple occasions.
Charge: Felony, Theft of Trade Secrets
Resolution: Suspect arrested and bond set at $2,500.

Per the arrest report, the suspect admitted that the missing books were located in his bicycle upon his arrest.

The case has drawn attention to a rarely discussed vulnerability in the culinary world: the protection of proprietary recipes and methods.

This arrest highlights the growing concern among South Florida’s competitive dining scene that secret recipes are valuable intellectual property deserving of the same legal protection afforded to corporate and technological trade secrets. The felony charge suggests that prosecutors view the culinary formulas as more than just notes—they are the core business asset of the restaurant.

The incident raises a compelling question for the industry: Should restaurants start securing their recipes and culinary methods with the same rigor and legal mechanisms that tech companies use to protect their most valuable trade secrets?

Written by: Bobby