GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L. – A Grand Falls-Windsor jewellery store owner is frustrated after his shop fell victim to yet another break in.
“They were in and out in hardly any time at all,” said Lou Alteen, owner of Alteen’s Jewellers. “It was a quick smash and grab.”
The crime occurred during the early morning hours of Friday, May 11. The perpetrator smashed a hole in the bottom portion of the front door, crawled into the shop, and shattered a display case to the left of the entrance. Law enforcement arrived on scene shortly after, and a discarded hammer was spotted near the store by a passerby.
“They were here looking for fingerprints, but I don’t know what they found,” said Alteen.
Alteen noted the display case broken into by the thief consisted of clearance items.
“We’re trying to just get the glass replaced,” he said. “Then we’ll get an idea of what was stolen, I don’t think it was too much. Not like the last one we had.”
Alteen’s Jewellers suffered a more significant burglary in March of 2017. The perpetrator of that particular crime tried and failed to enter the front entrance, and instead made their way through a side window. Alteen and the RCMP estimated that the thief, who stole gold jewellery, was in and out of the shop in less than 40 seconds.
“That one was more substantial than this one certainly,” Alteen said. “But, any break in is a pain.”
The 2017 incident costed thousands of dollars, but Alteen is unsure of the ultimate expense of the May 11 break in.
Alteen plans to be more vigilant, and to upgrade some security measures around his shop.
The RCMP could not be immediately reached for comment.
