GRAVENHURST - Maybe it was the threat of Frankenstorm that inspired the theft, but for the second time in about a year a number of generators have been stolen from Gravenhurst’s Home Hardware.
Sometime during the late hours of Oct. 28 thieves broke through the store’s rear compound and into the rear of the building, making off with several generators. Store owner Ian McNaughton said it appears the perpetrators escaped through the side laneway and through the Royal LePage parking lot.
Police were on scene on Monday for an initial investigation and further detailed crime scene investigation. Store staff is currently doing inventory to see if other items have gone missing as well, McNaughton said.
He said last year around this same time, thieves stole four generators from his location and both the perpetrators and stolen items have not yet been found. He added last winter thieves brazenly stole a snowblower from the front of the store during operating hours in what OPP called a “disturbing, brazen daytime theft.”
Gravenhurst Home Hardware and the OPP are asking residents if they saw any suspicious cars, trucks or activity in and around the store on Sunday evening and throughout the night to please call the Bracebridge detachment with any leads or tips.
“We are a small community and we need to all look out for each other, similar to community watch programs. We retailers ask that if you spot something odd, suspicious or out of place, please call the OPP immediately as we need to stop these thefts in our town,” McNaughton said. “We are shocked that this has happened again.
“We are a small business and losses like these are devastating,” he added. “We have a security company in today to install more outside cameras and anti-theft devices. Hopefully we catch them next time if they are so bold to come back again.”
Anyone who might have more information is asked to call the OPP detachment at 705-687-5023, 705-645-2211 or Gravenhurst Home Hardware at 705-687-3479.