By JESSE GRAHAM
A callous thief has been condemned for breaking the hearts of local store owners after a post-Christmas raid on a Yarra Glen shop.
ACME etal in Bell Street, Yarra Glen, was burgled on Boxing Day night and a large number of gift items were stolen.
Owners Morgan and James Calder said that a number of store items, including Bluetooth speakers, books and wallets were taken by the burglar, who they believe broke in through the back door.
Mrs Calder said that their shop had been run with the trust of the community, and that she hoped the person or people involved in the burglary didn’t live in the local area.
“I think we make such a huge effort to make our space comfortable and trusting,” she said.
“When that doesn’t happen, you feel a bit of disloyalty.
“It really does break its (ACME’s) heart.”
Ms Calder said that, as a result of the raid, the entries to the shop were being reinforced to help prevent another incident and that she was contemplating security cameras.
She asked other residents and business owners in the area to be cautious of any suspicious behaviour, and even penned a letter to the unknown person who raided the store:
‘Dear burglar of ACME etal,
‘You have broken the hearts of everyone at Acme.
‘In one fell swoop you have ripped the soul out of the core beliefs that have been poured into Acme over the years.
‘You have intruded and stolen the wages of the beautiful people who make Acme the place it is, a place you felt you needed a part of, at a time that will hurt them greatly.
‘You have taken away with you items that you thought you’d enjoy or someone close to you would enjoy.
‘All we can say is we hope you enjoy them with every bone in your body.
‘We have worked hard to create a space with special things, so they can fulfil a part of people’s lives.
‘We also make a huge effort to a space that is welcoming and worthy of trust, so we don’t have cameras watching you, we don’t look in your bag when you leave, we don’t cast any judgment or worry about whether or not our space is safe.
‘What you have done is make us, the people who work here, the people who come here, and the artists we support question the Acme approach. ‘Yarra Glen has a wonderful, safe, trusting and thoughtful community.
‘As a member of this community you have broken that trust.
‘Unfortunately we now have to make a judgment call on how we tighten security and regain trust without losing our own integrity.
‘We feel incredibly saddened that this is what you had to do, at any point in your life, and we truly hope that what you took with you may give you some courage and inspiration to change your life and contribute back to our community in some positive way.
‘Morgan and James.’
Lilydale Criminal Investigation Unit officers are following up the burglary, but a detective was not available to comment before deadline.
