Sweets thief caused £4,000 damage to shop
A THIEF caused thousands of pounds worth of damage smashing his way into a sweet shop – and escaped with £200 worth of sweets.
The man was captured on CCTV picking up a large rock and hurling it repeatedly at the window of American Candy Bristol, just four weeks after it opened in the High Street in Staple Hill.
Shocked owners Megan Stiby and Joshua Elias said they have been overwhelmed by the support from neighbouring businesses, and said they’ve discovered the High Street in Staple Hill has a real community feel after their ordeal.
The couple ran their American Candy business online for two years, before finally deciding to take the plunge and open a bricks and mortar store in early May.
It’s been a success, boosted by the support of other businesses in Staple Hill, who the couple said are trying to improve the appeal of the High Street. But at around 2.30am in the early hours of Thursday, June 3, the shop’s CCTV picked up a man getting off his bike, picking up a large rock and hurling it at the store’s window several times until it shattered. He then kicked his way in, and emerged with a bag full of candy. Items he stole included Tango branded sweets, Hershey’s Gold pretzel chocolate bars and a whole box of freeze-at-home Warhead ice lollies.
Megan said: “Altogether this was around £200 worth, but the damage to the window was around £4,000.”
She and Joshua are sharing the
CCTV in a bid to help find the thief.
The boarded-up window has now been replaced and restored.
“All the stores around us and on the street have been very helpful and supportive,” said Megan.
“They also have been planting some plant pots along the High Street to help the street look more lively and to try and decrease the amount of damage and graffiti that happens around us.”