Town cafe raided twice in days
Cash, alcohol and an iPad taken in raids on Stockwells
MANAGERS at a cafe were devastated to find their business had been broken into for a second time in less than a week.
Thieves stole cash, alcohol and an iPad from Stockwells, in New Buildings, Hinckley, and damaged a till.
The burglars struck in the early hours of Sunday, November 17. Staff discovered the mess as they arrived to open up.
Owner Stuart Downes said: “The staff are okay, they are just frustrated, like me.”
Stuart said the break-in happened at about 5.30am.
The coffee shop, which opened six months ago, was forced to close that day while the damage was fixed.
Stuart said: “People were coming to the door and we had to turn them away.
“People were shocked, especially when I told them it was the second time.”
The previous break-in at the cafe was on Wednesday, November 13 or the following day, when £700 in spirits, cash and food items was stolen. Stuart said the team at the coffee shop was determined to move on after the latest setback. It reopened the following day.
“You just crack on, you open again as usual,” he said. “Customers have offered to come and help but we are all back up and running.”
Thieves also targeted The Greyhound pub, a few doors away, emptying a charity box in aid of the #IslaStones campaign.
The pub was raided hours of Monday.
Police are also investigating a burglary at another premises in New Buildings, that took place between November 17 and 18.
Two further attempted in the early break-ins took place between Saturday and Monday.
An attempt was made to force the front shutters of a hairdresser’s in Castle Street, as well as the back door of a business in Priory Walk.
No access was gained to either property.
Police said no arrests had been made and inquiries are ongoing.