'A couple of grinches hit us': Local antique, jewelry store robbed Saturday morning
Beck Antiques and Jewellery's new location in Sherwood Park Mall was robbed Saturday morning, with thieves making off with several items, including coins and antique bills.
RCMP say officers were dispatched around 6:40 a.m. to the mall entrance nearest the Cineplex for the break-in.
Two robbers smashed the mall door, rushed into the mall and broke into the store to steal the items out of glass display cases, Beck Antiques said in an email newsletter to its patrons.
"A couple of grinches hit us and it is unfortunate that people are getting so desperate that they resort to crime," said Clinton Beck, Beck Antiques founder, in that email.
"We try and build the most beautiful stores and have the most amazing shopping experience for customers and then some hoodlums have to wreck it," Beck added. "We had a beautiful window display meant to bring joy shoppers, it is unfortunate that we have depraved individuals that have to ruin it."
Mounties said both thieves were males, one had a hammer and the other had a form of metal bar. One wore a black jacket with their hood up and another had a grey sweater and a mask covering their face.
Damage after an early morning robber at Beck Antiques and Jewellery on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 (Supplied).
"The investigation continues into this break and enter," said Cst. Drew Burchett, with Sherwood Park RCMP, in a statement.
"It appears that the damages caused during this event may be more costly than the articles taken."
In an interview Sunday, Beck told CTV News Edmonton it is estimated the thieves grabbed about $10,000 to $15,000 worth of sliver, antique bills and currency. He said mall security responded quickly and missed catching the robbers by 30 seconds.
"It was that close," he added. "The robbers were in and out in a couple of minutes."
Beck Antiques moved to Sherwood Park Mall in June hoping that having a mall storefront would be a "safer choice" than a standalone street store. In 35 years of business and running five locations, Beck says break-ins are an unfortunate part of the business.
"You almost get immune to it," he said. "It's more hard on the staff and on people that aren't used to it as much as I am. It's difficult to watch."
"Even though we are in a mall, we are going to be increasing our security."
The store is offering a $500 reward for information leading to solving the robbery.
Anyone with tips is asked to contact Sherwood Park RCMP at 780-467-7741 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.