St. Paul’s Shutterbee targeted by thieves

St. Paul’s Shutterbee Photography was broken in to for the second time in three months Thursday morning.

According to owner Ken Schurek, someone smashed in the window on their front door and let themselves in to the store at approximately 1:20 a.m. and made off with the new cash register and about 30 antique cameras which were displayed in a case in the front of the store.

“The frustrating part is that there was $100 left in the cash register. And there was $1,000 worth of damage for sure, if not more,” said Schurek.

He didn’t have an estimate for the value of the cameras stolen this time, because they were just there for decoration.

“Some of the cameras were the ones we used when we first started. Some were just stuff that was donated by customers. It was just a collection to display the history of photography and the business,” said Schurek.

The store is equipped with a security system which Schurek said went off as soon as the break in happened. He said RCMP were at the store within 15 minutes of the alarm going off, but by the time they got there whoever broke in was long gone.

“But then if they do get the guy, he gets a slap on the hand and carries right on,” said Schurek, noting that last time the thief was caught red-handed coming out of the store. “But again, they responded pretty quick. These guys, they just smash and grab.”

Cst. Monnika Hildebrand with the St. Paul RCMP said the investigation in to the break in is still ongoing and at this time RCMP have not located a suspect.

“If there are any businesses along Main Street who could assist us by checking their surveillance video for someone walking with a large bag between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Nov. 5, that would be very helpful,” said Hildebrand.

She said the public can provide information either by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or Cst. May at the St. Paul RCMP detachment 780-645-8870.