Staff members at the Summerside Butcher’s Shop have revealed that the recent act of vandalism is estimated to cause $100,000 in damages. According to the Summerside police, the incident occurred on August 18 between 9 and 9:45 p.m. when an unidentified person damaged an external refrigeration line at the rear of the establishment.
Sergeant Grant MacLeod stated that the act targeted the fuel tank responsible for cooling the shop’s refrigerators, leading to its depletion. The motive behind the vandalism remains unknown, although MacLeod clarified that it seems to be a case of property damage rather than theft.
Operations manager Angela Waite shared that upon entering the shop the following day, the staff discovered the refrigeration system was non-operational. Subsequently, the business had to close for the day to transfer products from the affected coolers to functioning units at the back of the store.
Technicians from Moncton were called in to repair the damaged line, but the incident resulted in wage losses for some employees and revenue loss for the business. Waite mentioned the shop’s intention to file an insurance claim to address the financial impact.
Waite expressed her dismay over the situation, emphasizing the shop’s status as a small, family-owned business, and the challenges faced in such circumstances. She praised the teamwork of the staff in swiftly addressing the issue.
The police have reported the incident to the provincial Department of Land and Environment and are proceeding with investigations, which include reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing potential witnesses, and coordinating with the property owner for additional details. Images of a suspect captured on a surveillance camera have been released by the authorities, urging anyone with information to reach out to Summerside Police Services or P.E.I. Crime Stoppers.
In response to the vandalism, Waite mentioned plans to enhance security measures by installing more cameras and fencing around the shop to prevent future incidents. She encouraged community members to step forward with any relevant information, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and vigilance among neighbors.