Photo by Vince Fedoroff
‘SUPER-OVERWHELMED’ – Willow Gamberg is seen in her store Tuesday morning.
Break-in spurs help for store owner
For the second time in three weeks, a female-owned business has been targeted in a downtown break-in.
For the second time in three weeks, a female-owned business has been targeted in a downtown break-in.
The Road Dogs music store had a forced entry last Saturday night or early Sunday morning, resulting in approximately $5,000 worth of merchandise being stolen.
Store owner Willow Gamberg said the business on Third Avenue has been in operation for two years. This is the first time there’s been such a problem.
The thieves came prepared with tools capable of getting through the bars on a window, she said.
It also appears they knew what they wanted from the business. Several guitars and cases were taken, along with pedals for the guitars.
Larger and more valuable items were left behind.
Some empty cases turned up in the next day or two in Copper Ridge, Gamberg told the Star Tuesday.
“I was called Sunday morning about the break-in,” she said. “I think they knew what they were after.”
The RCMP are now investigating, but apparently have no leads, Gamberg said.
The community has rallied to support her after the break-in. A Go Fund Me campaign has been started, with more than $5,000 raised so far.
“I’m super-overwhelmed by the support,” Gamberg said. “I had no idea people liked my store so much.”
She’s planning to have a security system installed to better protect the business. As well, more stock has been ordered for the store.
“I’m going to carry on,” she said. “It could have been worse. At least they didn’t trash the store inside.”
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Comments (10)
Up 22 Down 3
Time on Sep 25, 2021 at 2:53 pm
Time to bring in and enforce a bylaw against public drinking. Vodka drinking on the streets, pan handlers on main, an increase in crime, are all related to the same social class of people.
Up 21 Down 5
Keystone Cops on Sep 23, 2021 at 4:44 pm
Dear Citizens: If you're expecting any help from the police or legal system, don't hold your breath. There was no shortage of plywood windows around Whitehorse this summer and things are only getting worse. If a break-in can't be solved in 30 seconds with a flashlight, then it won't be solved. Not by our local RCMP anyway... I think most Yukoners would be horrified to see the lack of response and/or follow through from the RCMP when something like this occurs.
If some useful information happens to fall in Cnstbl Clueless's lap and they do arrest someone, one of our territorial judges will be sure to give the perpetrator a nice light sentence and they'll be back out "window shopping" in no time. There is no restitution or justice for a small business owner when this happens, my advice is get some good cameras so you can handle it yourself. Just watch out for Cnstbl Clueless and his buddies...
Up 47 Down 2
TMYK on Sep 23, 2021 at 8:07 am
Great to see support for local small business! The sex of the owner should have zero relevance though. It's a distraction from the crime.
Up 25 Down 1
Bonnie Daily on Sep 22, 2021 at 4:48 pm
All businesses in town, worksites, etc., should install multiple cameras. It's a small town and time we figure out who the dirt bags are. We have cameras at our house.
Up 31 Down 2
Annemarie on Sep 22, 2021 at 4:43 pm
Why the “female owned” headline Whitehorse Star?
Up 17 Down 13
Rick S on Sep 22, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Under this vile patriarchy only female business owners are targeted for theft.
Up 20 Down 3
Matt on Sep 22, 2021 at 4:39 pm
Possibly some more serious sentences would be best for all parties including the criminals. If persons go to self-defense measures it could end badly for all concerned.
A terrible thing for small business owners.
Up 49 Down 15
bonanzajoe on Sep 22, 2021 at 4:22 pm
Most if not all of us know who these people are and why they are doing this. It happens every year at this time. These dysfunctional ones steal and sell it knowing and hoping they will caught so they can have a nice warm bed and 3 meals a day for the winter months. It's where their friends are. So, for them, it's a win win situation. Every business needs to put in a security system and place signs up where the perps can see them. Also, these systems have to coordinated with the police, so when the alarm goes, it triggers the system at police headquarters.
Up 62 Down 11
Someone on Sep 22, 2021 at 4:21 pm
So why doesn’t anyone help the lady at the Bra Boutique who broke in and robbed her store? Where was the new coverage on her? She had tons of damage and stolen items including money. She was closed for a while. She just recently bought this business and then had to deal with this! Whitehorse is getting bad for small business.
Up 107 Down 5
marylaker on Sep 22, 2021 at 3:31 pm
It doesn't matter who owns the place, it's not a gender thing. I am a woman and I can say thieves are scum, and it's just the same as if they steal from any person.