Targeted break-ins hurt local business

A downtown business is complaining about ongoing break-ins that have cost the company thousands of dollars.

Brooke Astells of Innerspace Watersports on 32nd Street said the shop has been repeatedly targeted by thefts and damaged property.

“On. Sept. 3, a man stole a kayak from outside our store and he keeps coming back,” Astells said. “We had to replace our alarm system because he smashed the camera so he couldn’t be seen.”

Astells said this allowed a pickup to pull up to the store without being seen and take away the stolen kayak.

“Every time we get broken into we have to replace locks and replace cables and radio alarm systems. This has happened in our Kelowna store, too,” Astells said.

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She said the Kelowna store had a fat bike and a spear gun stolen just last month and the glass store front had to be replaced twice over summer after being smashed in.

The Vernon store has also been subjected to a smash and grab, she said.

Early on Monday in Vernon, a man stole a rudder off of a kayak but was later picked up by the RCMP, Astells said.

She called it the worst year in the company’s history for break-ins and thefts.

“We had somebody smash our windows [in Vernon] earlier this year and take a bunch of winter gear,” she said, adding fellow co-workers saw members of the street population wearing it.

The company has put in more lighting and is asking the public to alert the police in they see someone taking things from the store during overnight hours.