Last Year – Bicycle Basket at the Bakery
Thieves armed with wire cutters have stolen as many as twelve hanging flower baskets which decorated the exterior of the True Grain Bakery in downtown Cowichan Bay Village. They then wandered down the village street, stealing baskets and blooms from other businesses as well.
It appears to have been a well planned effort. The culprits knew exactly what they were after and came equipped with the tools necessary to do the job quickly and quietly.
The thefts which happened some time early Thursday morning, come just a few days before the annual Spot Prawn Festival, a time when Cowichan Bay Village likes to look it’s best.
Bakery owner Bruce Stewart is quoted in the Cowichan News Leader as saying that this is not the first time flower baskets have been targeted. It’s about the third time he’s had to replace the displays, which are often photographed by visitors.
A few years ago, night time vandals did about a thousand dollars worth of damage as they walked along the main street, dumping flower boxes into the harbour, smashing crockery and destroying lighting and sign displays at several businesses.
That appears not to be the case this time however. The baskets are gone, flowers and all.
