ST. PAUL - A long-time St. Paul business was targeted by thieves twice in one week, with a number of guitars and musical instrument accessories being stolen.
RCMP confirmed they responded to a report of a break-in Loree's TV, which is located on St. Paul's main street, the morning of July 19. The other reported break-in occurred just a day later, with RCMP again receiving a report on July 20. Both incidents appear to have happened in the overnight hours.
"Both instances there were guitars stolen, plus... other items, different each time," said Staff Sgt. Greg Stannard. "Both files are still open, however at this time we have no suspects or witnesses identified."
Yolande Kitt and her husband Loree have been operating their small business in the same location for 50 years.
Speaking to Lakeland This Week on Friday, Yolande says that while the store has been the victim of previous break-ins, this one felt different.
"They ransacked the office," she said, adding, "This one is scary. It was very invasive."
While the business itself has shifted and changed over the years, it is a place that has been known to supply locals with musical instruments and accessories - specifically guitars and other string instruments - which is mostly what was taken during the thefts.
Yolande says that after taking a couple days to go through the missing stock, it is estimated that about 20 instruments, many being guitars, were taken over the two break-ins, along with plenty of accessories.
And while the guitars and other new items are replaceable, Loree's coin collection was also taken. When things are slow at the store, Yolande says her husband would go through and organize his collection, leaving it in his office. Now, it's gone.
While the Kitts have received plenty of suggestions on what they could have done to protect themselves, Yolande says it doesn't change what happened. She's watched other businesses take plenty of measures to protect their businesses, only to be targeted again.
And despite improvements made in the days following the break-ins, Yolande admits they still feel vulnerable.
Stannard encourages members of the public to contact the local detachment or Crimestoppers if they think they may have witnessed anything, or have any information about the recent break-ins.
