Oceanside RCMP is investigating after a precious metals and jewelry store was the victim of an early morning heist.
It happened at Gold-Silver Guy in downtown Qualicum Beach on Monday morning and comes at a time when precious metals are in high demand.
Both, police and owner Jeff Ross rushed to the store after alarms started going off and when they arrived they found seven smashed showcases with coins and jewelry missing.
“For me as a business, this is the thirteenth time in my career I’ve had a break-in, so it hurts bad, both financially and morally,” said Ross.
Ross says it’s difficult to get insurance and so the theft is a 100 per cent loss.
“I’m wishing somebody would come forth who might have seen somebody suspicious just after five Monday morning.”
Unlike many businesses during the pandemic Ross says his business has thrived, with precious and semi-precious metals increasing in value, explaining that there have been very few sellers of precious metals in the past 14 months even though demand is high.
“People are afraid of the world that we live in and what might be happening to their currencies. they want to protect their wealth,” he said.
Fortunately, it seems the thieves did not know what items were of the most value, according to Ross, who says the damage to his door and display cases will cost more than the stolen goods.
Either way, Ross is out more than $10,000.
Kendall Hanson
