No kind words after Osprey robbery

Close to $1000 was stolen from the Osprey in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 26 just hours after their biggest fundraising event in their history.

The non-profit organization provides theatre, music, film, dance, visual arts and literature to the community.

Two doors were destroyed during the break and enter and the thief took only money, leaving all other valuables untouched.

“It was a big loss on a big night,” said the Osprey’s General Manager, Darcy Rhyno. “It was a big blow because it happened on a night when we were supposed to be raising funds to carry the osprey forward in good health.”

Close to 200 people were at the Osprey for the fundraiser to listen to the two-dozen local musicians who performed free.

“We had one of the biggest crowds we’ve ever had that night. The kind of support we got from the community felt really great,” said Rhyno.

He explained that supporters bought raffle tickets, paintings and memberships as well as leaving money and tips at the bar that would have gone towards the Osprey’s new seating program.

“It’s a real blow to the kind of support we received that night and the kind of morale of all the volunteers and staff who work at the Osprey,” said Rhyno.

According to a press release by the RCMP, an unidentified suspect was seen in the area on that night at about 1:45 a.m. wearing dark clothing and a hooded sweater and carrying a crowbar.

Steve Elliot, one of the summer students at the Osprey, was disheartened about the theft.

“We were finally starting to get ahead and something like this happens…it’s discouraging,” he said.

Rhyno admonished the thief stating that many organizations in the town that are struggling to survive could go under because of what they are doing.

“There are not a lot of kind words for the person who conducted the robbery because they did it at a time when they knew it would hurt us the most,” he said.

The Osprey will no longer be keeping any cash or valuables on the premises because of the theft.

“It’s tough,” said Rhyno, “these fundraisers don’t come along very often and every time we know we are asking a lot of the community and then to lose a big chunk of that to a single theft is just heartbreaking.”

Anyone who may have seen anything or anyone with any information concerning this investigation is asked to please contact Shelburne RCMP at (902) 875-2490 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.