KINGSTON - G. W. Sampson Co. Ltd. general manager Matthew Bonnyman can’t recall a time when the business has been hit this hard by theft.
Thieves recently damaged the fencing around an outdoor storage area for the Park Road business, and stole five brand new Honda snowblowers from the compound.
“We’ve had the odd one go missing here and there, but never of that nature,” said Bonnyman, estimating the loss to be worth about $23,000.
“A theft of that magnitude you have to put an insurance claim in on it, so our insurance rates will go up and our deductible will go up.”
Bonnyman believes there’s a good chance the serial numbers would be removed from the new Honda blowers if the machines, averaging $4,500 each in cost, are resold.
“They weren’t even sitting there seven days and they were stolen,” he said, noting that the units were from a new shipment.
Despite the upset, Bonnyman said it’s business as usual as the power equipment retailer gears up for the holiday season.
“Now we don’t have the inventory to sell, so it could potentially affect our sales,” he said.
“At the end of the day insurance covers them, but it’s frustrating. You build a business with all the security features and they’re still bypassed and things are stolen.”
The theft is still under investigation.
Kings District RCMP circulated a press release Nov. 22 asking members of the public to reach out to police or Crime Stoppers with any information relating to this case. The local detachment can be reached at 902-765-3317. Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.
