Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Raiders break through roof hours before son starts cancer treatment
A FAMILY have been left thousands out of pocket after their business was targeted in an overnight burglary.
Thieves broke into Cafolla’s cafe and gift shop in Newtownards, Co Down, on Wednesday after gaining entry through the roof.
A substantial amount of cash was stolen in the raid, including money from a charity box.
The Cafolla family were greeted with the aftermath yesterday morning, the same day their 21-year-old son began cancer treatment.
Speaking to the Mirror, Michael Cafolla who runs the business with his wife Marie, said they were stunned by the break-in.
He added: “It was my mother who opened up this morning and found the place like this. She’ll be 90 next week.
“I had money hidden away for a lodgement.
“We have a gift shop as well and we had jewellery stolen last week as well by shoplifters so it’s been a bit of a bad week.
“They took the charity box money as well which is disgusting but the thing is they did get a substantial amount of cash so there was no need really to have taken that.
“Today was a tough day for us already as our son Thomas was undergoing his first day of chemotherapy, so that’s more of a priority for us but this doesn’t help. “He was in London on his year out and he was only diagnosed last week, Marie had gone over to help him move flats and he hadn’t been well so it’s all been a rollercoaster in the last two weeks or so.
“They’ve had to take the roof tiles off to get in. They did try and take the lock off the back door but it’s bolted from the inside.”
The 53-year-old dad of four questioned whether someone may have been watching the popular coffee shop and gift store in recent weeks.
He said: “Marie is also a wedding florist so she works late nights, so people would see the lights on, so they’ve obviously scoped it out to know to come in after we have gone home.”
Police urged those with information on the Regent Street raid to get in touch.
Sergeant Ossie Mcclean said: “Anyone who knows anything about this should contact PSNI in Newtownards on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
YESTERDAY