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Edmonton Music Store Seeks Public Assistance Following $100,000 Theft
An Edmonton music store is reaching out to the community for help after suffering a significant theft exceeding $100,000 in equipment from their southeast location. This incident marks yet another troubling break-in for the business, raising concerns among both the owners and loyal customers.
Surveillance footage shared with Global News reveals the meticulous planning of the thieves, who successfully backed their truck into the shipping area of the Long & McQuade store located on 92 Street and 28 Avenue. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, four individuals wearing masks executed a swift operation, making off with a variety of high-value items in just five minutes.
Assistant manager Steve Simpson pointed out the considerable damage inflicted on the premises. “This door was bent in and pushed off its runners,” he explained, indicating the overhead entrance. “They were able to slide in through the side and open the small door.”
The haul included a range of musical equipment such as guitars, DJ gear, and microphones.
“In total, $118,000 worth of gear was taken, which is a substantial loss for us,” Simpson noted. “Each of these items can be quite costly, ranging from $2,500 to $8,000 each.”
This is not the first encounter the store has had with crime. Simpson noted that the store has been a fixture in southeast Edmonton for nearly 16 years without any robberies until the past year, during which they have faced three break-in incidents.
“At times, it feels like there’s little recourse. We try to enhance our security with stronger doors, better locks, and other security measures,” Simpson reflected on their ongoing efforts.
“It seems that your hands are tied: if people want to steal, they’re going to find a way.”
Identifying the stolen equipment has proven challenging. Simpson mentioned that while there are occasional sightings of their gear being sold privately, tracking it down is difficult. “These items often vanish into the void. They are serialized, so we do our best to log their details and mark them as stolen in our system,” he stated.
The store is currently appealing to the public for assistance in locating the stolen items or identifying the perpetrators. Simpson expressed gratitude for the support from their devoted customer base. “We have many loyal patrons who want to help. If we can spread the word, I believe many will actively keep an eye out,” he said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the store directly.
Source
globalnews.ca