'It's heartless': Custom axes stolen from Edmonton business
Axe Monkeys, an Edmonton business known for indoor axe throwing, dealt with a robbery that resulted in a $5,000 loss.
Dan Hudon, an axe maker also known as Dan the Axe Man, said he got a call at 5 a.m. on June 1 from an employee telling him Axe Monkeys had just been broken into. Hudon takes pride in the work that goes into carefully crafted axes, and feels the time lost is much greater than the financial loss.
“They broke in through the glass front door and basically went straight into my cabinet -- smashed it and cleaned me out,” he said. “They knew what they were coming in for.”
The axes were made by local axe crafter Dan, a senior citizen that has recently undergone a back surgery.
Dave Calhoun, owner of Axe Monkeys, said the theft is cruel.
“He puts his heart and soul into it. He’s got six, seven, 10, 40 hours into some pieces and now they are all gone,” said Calhoun. “To have someone break into a business that has already suffered enough loss with the pandemic and with a senior citizen like him, it’s heartless.”
“He spends lots of time and lots of hours making things perfect. He does a lot for the fire department here in Edmonton,” said Calhoun, describing the axes as beautiful pieces of artwork.
The robbery is described as “unbelievable” by Facility Manager Adam Yates. He also believes the robbers knew exactly what they were coming in for, explaining the theft took only a few minutes. According to police, who were called to the site by alarms, the robbers were believed to be wearing gloves making it difficult to track down those responsible for the stolen items.
“We are a small business. We’ve had our hard struggles through this pandemic – you know, being open and then being closed,” said Yates.
The hand-crafted axes on the showcase were meant to supplement Dan the Axe Man’s income.Dan has an additional showcase at Clareview Windsor Plywood
There is a GoFundMe page for Axe Monkeys to raise money to cover the losses.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Carlyle Fiset
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WHO decision on COVID-19 emergency won't affect Canada's response: Tam
The World Health Organization will announce Monday whether it thinks COVID-19 still represents a global health emergency but Canada's top doctor says regardless of what the international body decides, Canada's response to the coronavirus will not change.

Video shows struggle for hammer during Pelosi attack
Video released publicly Friday shows the husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi struggling with his assailant for control of a hammer moments before he was struck in the head during a brutal attack in the couple's San Francisco home last year.
Remembering the horrors of the Holocaust 78 years after liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau
In an emotional and powerful speech at an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event in Ottawa, a survivor stressed the importance of remembering the millions of victims murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War and underscored the need to stand up against anti-semitism and hate.
Running Room Canada website hit with data breach; some passwords, credit card info accessed
An outside group may have accessed the online personal information of some Running Room customers in Canada over the last several months, the retailer says.
Lifelong Leafs fan fulfils dream of seeing first game, passes away next day
Mike Davy always dreamed of going to a Toronto Maple Leafs game, and once it finally happened, he passed away the night after.
Pamela Anderson defends Tim Allen after flashing allegation
Pamela Anderson is addressing discussion about a story regarding her 'Home Improvement' co-star Tim Allen that is part of her new memoir, 'Love Pamela.'
What is going on with Bill C-11, the government's online streaming legislation?
The Liberals have spent years trying to pass online streaming legislation and now the current iteration, known as Bill C-11, is closer than ever to passing. With a potential parliamentary showdown ahead, here's what you need to know about how the contentious Broadcasting Act bill got to this stage.
Zellers rolling out food trucks for Canadians 'craving a taste of nostalgia'
Though you won't be able to sit on the old, cracked pleather benches and take in the thick smell of gravy and fries, while the gentle sound of clanging dishes provides the soundtrack for your lunch, Zellers plans to roll out food trucks for those 'craving a taste of nostalgia.'
MPs prepare for return to Parliament as Ottawa marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy'
Members of Parliament are making their way back to Ottawa ahead of resuming sitting on Monday, as the city prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the arrival of 'Freedom Convoy' protesters.