Staff members at the Summerside Butcher’s Shop revealed that an act of vandalism last week will result in approximately $100,000 in damages for the store. The incident, reported by Summerside police, involved damage to an external refrigeration line at the rear of the establishment on August 18, occurring between 9:00 and 9:45 p.m.
Sergeant Grant MacLeod stated that the disruption caused the fuel tank responsible for cooling the shop’s refrigerators to be emptied due to the harm inflicted. The motive behind the act remains unknown, although MacLeod emphasized that it appears to be property damage rather than a theft-related incident.
Upon entering the shop the following morning, Angela Waite, the operations manager, and the staff discovered that the refrigeration system was non-operational. Consequently, the shop had to close temporarily to transfer products from the affected coolers and freezers near the front to functional units toward the back.
Technicians from Moncton were summoned to repair the damaged line later on. However, the incident led to wage losses for some employees and revenue loss for the business. Waite mentioned that the shop intends to file an insurance claim to address the financial impact.
Expressing dismay over the situation, Waite highlighted the shop’s status as a small, family-owned community business, underscoring the collective effort of the team in managing the crisis. She praised the staff members for their relentless work in relocating products and restoring operations under challenging circumstances.
Police authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident and notified the provincial Department of Land and Environment. Subsequent actions involve scrutinizing surveillance footage, interviewing potential witnesses, and consulting the property owner for additional insights. Additionally, law enforcement has shared images of a suspect captured by a surveillance camera, urging individuals with relevant information to reach out to Summerside Police Services or P.E.I. Crime Stoppers.
To prevent similar occurrences in the future, Waite announced plans to enhance security measures by installing more cameras and fencing around the shop. She encouraged community members to assist in safeguarding local businesses by reporting any pertinent information they may have.
Overall, the community remains vigilant in the aftermath of this unfortunate incident, striving to uphold a sense of unity and support for one another in times of need.