'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
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.