THUNDER BAY – The owner of a convenience store robbed for the second time in 24 days has had enough.
Heather Ambro-Bergeron on Monday said it’s upsetting that staff members have been robbed a knife-point, putting their lives in danger over a few measly dollars.
The entrepreneur said it’s the fourth time in eight years her South Franklin Street store has been targeted, but two incidents so close together is unnerving.
“It’s very upsetting. You hear about this all the time, it’s just very discouraging when it happens to you. We’re a small store. Everyone who comes in here is someone who lives in the neighbourhood, who is my neighbour,” Ambro-Bergeron said.
“When this happens, it’s just very frustrating and a bit sad.”
At approximately 9:55 p.m. on Sunday night, a lone male entered her store, laid a yellow and red duffel bag on the counter and produced a knife, demanding the cash in the till.
The clerk complied and the suspect fled on foot.
It all happened in less than a minute, Ambro-Bergeron said, having instructed staff not to fight back.
“If it was me or my business partner, my mother at the till, I can’t say we would react in the same way. But for the staff, it’s not worth anyone getting injured or anyone losing their life,” she said. “It’s just best to give them whatever they want and get them out of the store as quickly as possible.”
Ambro-Bergeron said she’s considered cutting the hours her store is open to avoid late-night incidents, but that would also cut into her revenue. She’s also not sure it would cut out robbery attempts.
The store is currently open until 11 p.m., seven days a week.
“These two incidents were in the evening, but the two incidents prior happened in the middle of the afternoon. It’s hard to kind of predict. At this time I think we’ll be staying open until 11 p.m. and reviewing our security systems.
The thief got away with about $600.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-3, with a large build and facial hair.
The man was wearing light blue jeans, a cream coloured jacket over a red hoodie, a ball cap with a black brim, sunglasses, black gloves and sneakers. The suspect was also carrying a red and yellow duffel bag.
Anyone with information is asked to phone police at 684-1200.
