THIN THIEF BROKE INTO TARA’S FASHIONS YESTERDAY AND STOLE CASH REGISTER
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — Long days aren’t unusual for small business owners like Tara and Ian McNaughton.
But when you start the day with a 4 a.m. call to police about a store break-in, you know it’s the beginning of another 18-hour day.
The McNaughtons’ day began very early yesterday when a thief hopped the front fence of Tara’s Fashions on main street, broke a side door window and squeezed himself in.
Once inside the thin thief carted off the cash register.
There was “just little” bit of money in it, she said this afternoon pointing to the boarded up door panel.
The McNaughtons also own the Home Hardware four blocks north on Muskoka Road, where Tara is relocating her south end business to next month.
Ian put a temporary patch on the window while she spoke to police, who she said “were very nice.”
Officers were dispatched to the break and enter on Muskoka Road South near Sharpe Street when Tara got an alarm call and dialled 911 right away.
Police say the suspect was in and out and fled the south on foot.
McNaughton said police found the cash register in a nearby parking lot two doors down between the Rickshaw and Muskoka Wide Plumbing.
The thief walked past a huge sign that reads in big bold red letters: ‘NO TRESPASSING’ These premises under video surveillance.’
She hopes the plumbing shop has CCTV that may show the wanted man.
Police say the suspect is a male who wore black winter boots, dark pants, a black jacket with a blue hoodie over his head and who appeared to have his face covered.
The thief squeezed himself out the broken window panel.
McNaughton wondered why he didn’t just open the door to leave.
The McNaughtons then went home, got their four kids ready for school then returned to their respective businesses to open up the beginning of long day.
Tara was lucky to have a backup cash register for use today. Ian has the old one at his store under repair.
She said she hit the sack early last night before getting up and starting work all over again today.
No strangers to hard work, the McNaughtons also own Home Hardwares in Parry Sound and Bancroft.
And next month Tara is closing and relocating her store to their Home Hardware location, where she began before moving south in September 2019. In March 2020 she had to close due to COVID.
She said “no sense renting” when “we already have space.”
In February they will shift HH store goods around and Tara will take over the south end space once occupied by the Elephant’s Trunk. The McNaughtons bought the old Stedman’s store to relocate north from the Southgate Plaza.
There have been a number of similar break-ins in the downtown in recent years.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or you may submit your tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssdm.com or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).
EMAIL: news@muskokatoday.com
30 years of ‘Local Online Journalism’
Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1
Leave comments at end of story
SUBSCRIBE for $25 by e-transferring to news@muskokatoday.com
Or go online to https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions
