Thieves with discerning tastes have committed a series of break-ins in Port Alberni , RCMP Cpl. Jen Allan said.
On Nov. 20, an elderly woman was awakened at 10 p.m. by a strange noise in her Stuart Road home. The woman switched on her lights, which may have caused the thieves to flee.
The thieves made off with winning bills from good natured sports bets won over the years. The bills were stapled onto a makeshift “wall of fame”, with the name of the winner and the specific sporting event written on the bill with a coloured felt marker. The unique bills came in all denominations and totalled approximately $1,200.
Thieves also stole two antique decorative Spanish pistols that formerly belonged to a deceased relative and hence have sentimental value.
Earlier this week, thieves also broke into a home of a 56-year-old woman while she was sleeping. Items stolen in that incident included a print, a painting, wedding rings and a grandfather table clock.
The break-ins are similar in that they happened at night, and the homeowners were both women. In contrast, the items stolen were unusual. “They weren't the typical items we see stolen like electronics, which are easy to try and pawn,” RCMP Cpl. Jen Allan said. “These items were distinct, identifiable and distinguishable.”
Allan did not say if RCMP suspect both incidents are related.
Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP detachment at 250-723-2424, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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