Break-in at Richmond coffee shop caught on camera; police investigating
A Richmond coffee shop says it is out hundreds of dollars – and will need to pay thousands more for repairs – after a thief broke into the business this week.
The incident happened shortly before midnight on Monday, Sept. 19, according to Richmond RCMP.
R Ki Coffee Lab on Lansdowne Road posted surveillance video of the theft to its Instagram page. In it, the thief can be seen outside the restaurant, repeatedly throwing a heavy object against the door. After a few impacts, it shatters and the thief makes his way immediately to the register.
He removes the cash drawer and can be seen looking around the shop for other valuables before the alarm comes on and he leaves.
Co-owner Rus Chan told CTV News that between $200 and $300 in cash was stolen, along with an iPhone and two tablets, one of which was provided by Uber Eats.
“It feels terrible,” said Chan.
He said the cost of replacing the glass door will be more than $2,000.
Richmond RCMP confirmed that they responded to the scene and are investigating. They said they are looking for a person of interest in the case, who was seen leaving the area around the time of the break-in.
Police describe the man as white, in his 30s, and short with "a slim build." He was seen wearing a black, long-sleeved T-shirt and light-coloured pants.
"Richmond RCMP frontline investigators searched the area for the man described above but he was not located," Mounties said in an email.
Chan said this is not the first time the shop has been broken into or vandalized.
Before the business even opened in 2020, thieves broke in and stole a large amount of equipment, including a dishwasher, ovens and a refrigerator.
In August 2021, someone walking by attempted to break the glass door with a big rock but was unsuccessful, and earlier this year, the coffee shop's surveillance camera caught someone smashing the store's patio umbrella and display board.
"So many small business (are) getting trouble and a hard time surviving,” Chan said. “We need to keep running business even the next day.”
Richmond RCMP said their investigation into the latest incident is "active and ongoing." They're asking anyone who witnessed the break-in or has information about it to call them at 604-278-1212 and quote file number 2022-25578.
Tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.