Caught on camera: Tip jar taken from West Vancouver pastry shop
A West Vancouver chocolate shop owner is warning other businesses after a man was caught on surveillance video stealing a tip bowl off the counter last Friday.
Steven Hodge, the co-owner of Temper Chocolate and Pastry, said the man ordered a sandwich and when the staff member left the counter to get it, he quickly tucked the bowl into his jacket.
He then claimed his credit card wasn’t working and would go get another card from his car. The man never returned.
Staff only discovered the tip bowl was missing at the end of their shift.
“So we went back on the cameras and looked, and were blown away,” said Hodge. “It kills me inside, it kills my staff inside, because they work hard and depend on a lot of the tips here. I just wish I had caught him.”
Hodge decided to post video of the tip bowl theft on his shop’s Instagram account, and comments started pouring in from other businesses that recognized the man.
One of them was the Bean Around the World coffee shop just a few blocks down from Temper Chocolate and Pastry.
“Immediately our group chat blew up, we were like: Is this the same guy? Because we got a video of him. And everyone immediately said yes, absolutely, that’s the same guy,” said Bean Around the World barista Alanna Ward.
She said the theft happened a few months ago and played out exactly like the one at the chocolate shop.
The man ordered a coffee and croissant.
“He tried to pay, and when it didn’t go through, he said my wife will pay in a minute and left. And we said no worries and he didn’t ever end up coming back, and we looked and our tip jar was gone,“ said Ward, who added the same man then went to an adjoining business and stole another tip jar.
“Nobody expected it, he just looked like your average person, he seemed really kind and we trusted him and he took advantage of that I guess,” said Ward.
Hodge reported the theft to West Vancouver police, and decided to change the tipping set-up at his front counter.
“We are going to have two tip jars, we will have the bowl at the till and we will have the bowl underneath, and as the tips come in, we are just going to empty them and keep them underneath,” said Hodge.
After posting the video, he doubts the thief will return to his shop. But he wants to warn others.
“We are a community, we all support each other, especially in hard times right now,” Hodge said. “Other businesses need to be aware in case he comes in.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.