Shop owner’s swipe at thief who smashed door for sweets and charity box
A SWEETSHOP owner has taken a sarcastic swipe at the “master criminal” who kicked in his front door and helped himself to a bizarre selection of items.
The raider targeted How Sweet, in Melton last Thursday night, to steal confectionary - including gum and a box of After Eight chocolates - a collection tin for Leicestershire charity Loros, a pair of scissors and a jar of coffee.
The intruder smashed the shop’s glass front door before loading the haul, which also included a charger cable and a small step-ladder, into a bin bag, owner Jamie How said.
In a caustic message posted on Facebook, Mr How addressed the burglar as a “master criminal”, adding: “I think the ultimate prize must have been the £5 to £10 in the Loros charity box.
“You must be well pleased with the loot. Enjoy your Caribbean cruise from the proceeds.”
Mr How told the Mercury: “I’m the fourth shop in this street to be burgled in the past few months now, as far as I know - so I was almost positive I’d get turned over too sooner or later.
“I made sure I’d taken every penny out of the till when I closed the other day, but I forgot the Loros collection box.
“So that’s gone - it had £5, maybe £10 in it.
“Imagine that - stealing a charity collection box.
“If they get locked up for this they can tell everyone they’re inside for stealing from charity and taking some sweets and a charger cable from a shop. How pathetic is that? I mean, it’s hardly Raffles, is it?“They
“I just don’t understand the mentality of it.
cause all this inconvenience and cost for a small business just for these things.
“I don’t know yet what the cost of repairing the damage is going to be. I don’t know if it’s going to be worth claiming on the insurance as it won’t cover the full cost and my premium will go up.”
Businesses have been struggling because of coronavirus and lockdown, he said, adding: “I’ve been here two years and I don’t think I’ve been able to open for 52 weeks yet.
“If I saw a tumbleweed rolling down the road I don’t think I’d be surprised.”
As well as coronavirus, the cost of parking in the town is putting off potential visitors, he added.
The break-in has been reported to police.