Misty Pines Cafe and Bakery in Nanaimo has gone cashless after three break-ins in about two months, including one on Oct. 10 that resulted in the theft of its cash safe.
The Story
Misty Pines Cafe and Bakery in Nanaimo has gone cashless after being broken into three times in about two months, owner Can Akin said.
Akin said the first break-in included suspects breaking a full window and stealing items, then another break-in came through the window a second time, and a third break-in also occurred the same way.
He said it cost almost $4,000 to replace what was taken in the first break-in, adding that tablets and money were also stolen. Akin said the next two break-ins cost about $3,000 each.
Akin said that during the Oct. 10 break-in, a person stole their cash safe even though it was heavy and took two people to move it.
He said police later caught the suspect within about 10 to 15 minutes, but the safe was not recovered and “all the money was gone inside.”
Akin said he recognized the person from a first break-in on Sept. 5, when the safe and cash float were also taken.
He said a suspect arrested after the second break-in was released hours later on an undertaking to appear in court on Dec. 15.
Nanaimo customer Graham Villette said small businesses like the cafe are “the kind of the heart of Nanaimo” and that officials need to look out for them.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said policy changes are needed around the prosecution of repeat offenders and street disorder affecting downtown areas across B.C., adding that businesses are being forced into measures like going cashless.
When asked about the suspect’s release after being held overnight, Nanaimo RCMP said investigations take time, including reviewing CCTV footage, gathering witness statements and cataloguing forensic evidence, then submitting a detailed report to Crown Counsel.
RCMP said it is pursuing charges of break-and-enter, theft and possession of stolen property.
← More stories