A robbery during the Easter long weekend has left the police, a business owner and an artist bewildered after four art pieces were stolen from the display window of an appliance repair shop in downtown Terrace.
“My instant reaction was, ‘I didn’t know thieves here are into art,’” said artist Annemarie Fux whose original creations were stolen from Webb Refrigeration Ltd. on Lazelle Ave.
Four of Fux’s artworks worth $1,500, displayed for sale, were stolen after thieves smashed Webb Refrigeration’s window that took place between April 15 and April 18.
While Fux jokes that it is a compliment that her art was stolen, she quickly highlights escalating crime in Terrace is leaving its residents without sufficient protection.
“I am not a famous artist therefore it baffles me why my art got stolen out of that space? Where will my art end up?”
Fux, who runs a glass fusing studio Fused By Fux on Kalum Rd., moved to Terrace from the Okanagan just before the pandemic began and said the rising crime in the city has been worrisome.
The 70-year-old also added this is the first time she experienced crime as a victim and hopes this incident will give an extra push to the local governments and authorities to protect small businesses around town and get a bigger police presence in Terrace.
“I don’t want to be bullied by criminals like this,” Fux said.
The RCMP said they are investigating the break and enter which was reported on the morning of 18 April by the property owner.
“This is a new one for Terrace,” said Const. Kelly Cates from the Terrace detachment, adding that art theft is not common in the area. The file is open and the police are looking into surveillance videos from the vicinity.
The same weekend, the police also reported three separate instances of break and enters at Terrace Superior Propane on Keith Ave. on April 11, April 13 and April 16.
Tools worth $1,500 were stolen after one break in, contents stolen from a truck after another and a window smashed and two Hilti drills valued at approximatel $5,000 stolen after a third break in.
In response to complaints and petitions from business owners and residents about rising crime in Terrace, representatives from the city met with cabinet ministers in Victoria last month. While no promises were made during the meeting that took place on March 31, the ministers did tell Mayor Carol Leclerc that they would report back this month.