'It might be too late': OEV business owner begs for solutions to chronic break-ins
For the second time in a week an Old East Village store owner is coping with a break-in.
It’s the fourth in recent months at his store and part of a rash of business break-ins in the area.
“Our business can’t stand to have windows broken every other night, which seems to keep happening,” Lyndon Horsfall tells CTV News.
Agreeing to the Sunday morning interview, he admitted exhaustion at responding to yet another middle-of-the-night crime at the Mystic Bookshop. He and his wife own the store located near the intersection of Dundas and Adelaide, within sight of the police station.
It was 4 a.m. Sunday when a suspect busted in.
From Mystic Bookshop security camera, showing alleged Sunday breakin
From Mystic Bookshop security camera, showing alleged Sunday breakin
Within seconds he’d smashed a security camera indicating he knew where it was located.
The same camera caught a figure looking through the windows at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police were called even though the video is a repeat of earlier crimes at the bookshop and other businesses.
Horsfall says the seemingly unstoppable smash and grabs have an emotional toll.
“One of the worst feelings in the world is when your wife, or your partner, is sobbing and crying wondering why they do what they do, and you have to hold them. And, you know it’s tough.”
And while there are novels in the Mystic Bookshop about witchcraft, Horsfall is passing on casting a spell and turning again to the city for help.
Ward Councillor Jesse Helmer, who in March spoke of sympathy with business owners in the area, promised Sunday the city is responding.
Via text, Helmer stated a clean-up team is active to assist business owners, while city staff have been trained to help keep eyes on the street.
It comes at a time Dundas East is undergoing major road construction.
The municipal effort although welcomed by Horsfall isn’t enough.
So, on occasion, he rolls out of bed and catches a few hours of sleep inside his store while keeping watch at night.
Although supportive of police officers, in general, he says he’s made interesting observation during those nights
“I’ve never seen a cop walk by.”
Yet, Helmers counters by commenting it is his understanding that London Police have increased foot patrols over the past couple of months.
Horsfall welcomes the move. But to increase security further he is working with his landlord to push through approvals to install metal shutters he can drop over his storefront at night.
But if the city won't approve them, Horsfall says he and his wife may be at a crossroads with their business a 30-year staple in Old East.
“We’re not gonna leave, but every time it happens you do think is this the last straw.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.