Smashed Windows Hurting Thunder Bay Business in Fort William Downtown

THUNDER BAY – CRIME BEAT – There have been a rash of break-ins to businesses in the Fort William downtown. This afternoon Unveiled Bridal Boutique on Victoria Avenue East had the door window smashed and a thief enter the premises.

Video from Unveiled Bridal

Video supplied by Unveiled Bridal Boutique

The break-in happened just after 3:00PM, perhaps demonstrating a growing boldness with the crime in the area.

Shop owner Shelby Ch’ng of Unveiled Bridal has posted a video of the break-in on her Facebook page.

The rash of window break-ins is very costly to merchants. The cost of broken windows adds up quickly. For a small business, having to spend several hundred dollars to repair the glass hurts the bottom line.

Further as the public sees the crimes, even though they are being done at times the businesses are closed, it does put a damper on shopping in the area.

There have been positive signs recently in the downtown Fort William neighbourhood. Business owners have been cleaning up the neighbourhood, with the help of volunteers from Evergreen Neighbourhood.

Rash of Break Ins

Earlier in the week, the door at Redd Boutique on May Street was broken into as well. This followed a break-in to the Guardian Angels office on May Street as well as an earlier break-in at the Silhoette Boutique on Victoria Avenue East.

There was also a break-in to a residence on May Street on May 7th at 12:44AM.

The week previous, Silhoette Boutique was the victim of another smash and grab break and enter.

Merchants in the downtown are not leaving cash on their premises at night.

If you know the suspect responsible for this crime or have any information on this or any other crime but wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.asp…. If your tip leads to an arrest, you are eligible to a cash reward. You will never be asked to identify yourself or testify in court.

Crime Map – Fort William

There have been almost sixty reported incidents in the downtown Fort William neighbourhood from April 24th to May 10th. Almost three per day.