STORE OWNER SCARES OFF WOULD-BE THIEF THIS MORNING IN LATEST ATTEMPTED BREAK-IN IN DOWNTOWN GRAVENHURST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Another attempted business break-in downtown here early this morning has the latest victim angry and dejected.

Sang Park was awoken this morning above his Anne’s Variety store when he heard a thief smash the front door of his popular convenience shop on the main street.

“I’m mad — it’s the third time,” he said referring to other break-in related incidents he’s had.

He’s angry and dejected.

The front door of Anne’s Variety was smashed about 5 a.m. Thursday when upstairs owner Sang Park heard a crash and chased off the would-be thief.

And it’s the third time within weeks — along the main two-block stretch of Muskoka Road south — that businesses have been targeted.

Two doors north of Park Gem & Dia Jewelers had items stolen out of its front window.

Just days earlier Currie Bros. Music had three guitars stolen in a similar smash and grab.

Other businesses in the core part of the community and nearby around the town in recent weeks have been hit.

Business people are concerned and speaking out publicly.

Many who have closely followed the incidents suspect they are drug-related.

Police say they have laid charges in some of those cases.

The Town of Gravenhurst is working on a plan to help businesses that may not have security cameras get them for their protection.

Sang says this is the third time he’s had break-in trouble and he’s “mad” about it.

The latest attempted B&E occurred about 5 a.m.

Police responded at 5:20 a.m. when Sang heard the smashing and went to investigate.

He told officers he saw a person breaking his front door.

Police say the suspect fled when he saw the owner and began running south on Muskoka Road South, fleeing behind neighbouring businesses and onto John Street.

The suspect is described as a male wearing a camo-coloured jacket and possibly construction type boots.

Police are asking anyone who may have surveillance footage in the Muskoka Road South/Hotchkiss Street/John Street and/or Bay Street area to please check their footage between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m.

And anyone who may have witnessed the incidents or may have seen suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122 to assist in these investigations. Individuals may also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Downtown Gravenhurst break-ins have been common in recent weeks and months, especially in the core business area.

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