Winnipeg business victimized by crime wave
CTV
A Winnipeg business owner is speaking out after criminals hit her establishment three times in just over a month, including a bizarre trailer fire.
A Winnipeg business owner is speaking out after criminals hit her establishment three times in just over a month, including a bizarre trailer fire.
Jennifer Hofer, owner of the External Beauty Institute in the city’s West End, said she’s fed up.
"Like I'm shaking right now still because I'm frustrated and I can't do anything." said Hofer.
Security footage from June 29 shows an individual on a bike drop off what appears to be a propane torch beside a garbage trailer parked behind the business.
The next morning, just after 5:00 am, a person returns on foot. Using the torch, they ignite garbage stitting inside the trailer. But, instead of fleeing, they hang around to watch. At one point, the person stands in awe with their arms in the air. The individual also takes the time to eat, sit, and even lie down before finally walking away from the scene.
"It's very, very clear that the guy didn’t care,” Hofer said. “He was very proud of what he did, he hung out here forever."
The business was also broken into twice over the past few weeks. The front doors were smashed in during the first incident, in which a TV and phone were stolen. A second break-in saw an office door kicked in, a laser machine vandalized, and makeup stolen. All in, Hofer says the tally is more than $150,000, not including the trailer.
