A north end electronics business is seeking help from the community after three individuals broke in Tuesday morning, stealing at least $10,000 worth of product.
The incident was caught on security video.
Todd Shaver, owner of Neutron Electronics on Woodlawn Road West was sitting across the street having a coffee at Tim Hortons before heading into work, when three men broke into his store in broad daylight, using a hammer to smash the door.
That was at 7:15 a.m. Shaver usually gets in around 7:20 a.m. to open the store at 8.
When he finally arrived, he knew something was wrong as his door alarm was going off.
“I was shocked,” he said. “I didn’t think they would hit a store like mine, because it’s not easy product to turn over.”
The small, family-owned store carries a variety of electronics, but primarily things like transformers, batteries and electrical testers. It’s been at the current location for 30 years, but Shaver has run the business in Guelph for 48.
In nearly five decades of being in business, a break-in like this has only happened once before, with the culprits smashing their way in with a brick. But that was around 25 years ago.
“The product I sell isn’t a need for the masses. To sell my products to somebody is going to be much harder than if they broke into PowerLine,” he said, referring to another electronics store in the area that sells things like speakers and projectors.
On any other day, he might have been there by that time – or if they had decided to rob the place four minutes later. But he’s glad he wasn’t.
“Who knows what could have transpired?”
Security footage shows a white BMW sedan pull up to the front of the store, followed by a black Ford F150 pickup truck.
The suspects peered through the window before grabbing a hammer and smashing their way in.
“And then they just started taking everything,” Shaver said.
They took flashlights, batteries, test equipment, LED light strips and his cash flow – at least a $10,000 hit for the small store. Based on the security footage, four people appeared to be involved, with three in the store and the fourth acting as lookout.
All but one were wearing face coverings – and one only put his on after coming inside.
Shaver said it seemed pre-planned, but he’s never seen them in his store before.
Police describe the suspects as four brown-skinned males in their 20s; three were 5’9” to 6’ tall with larger builds, and the fourth was shorter with a slim build.
Shaver is hoping they get caught “so they don’t do more damage” to other stores, he said, adding that other business owners he’s spoken to have expressed concerns they could be next. He shared the security footage online in hopes that community members might be able to identify the suspects.
“If I don’t get my product back, I can’t do anything about it. I just want them caught.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Shayne Finoro at 519-824-1212, ext. 7378, email him at [email protected], leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
