There’s been an arrest in connection to Friday night’s break-and-enter at a Habitat for Humanity store in Campbell River.
Campbell River RCMP has confirmed that someone was arrested, but no formal charges have been laid yet.
On August 23rd, someone broke into the Vancouver Island North’s ReStore at 1725 Willow Street.
A laptop, iPhone, and six two-way radios were taken, as well as merchandise including tools and a sword Habitat for Humanity had for auction.
Habitat for Humanity’s director of development for Vancouver Island North, Tom Beshr, said close to $3,000 worth of radio equipment was taken.
“They went on a shopping spree,” he added.
Beshr said it’s a sad state of affairs when a non-profit is the target of crime.
“It just drives it home that these people are in a pretty bad place, where they steal from a charity that helps their own community to help people with housing or people who steal from charities that do anything for the community. It’s not really good karma in our opinion.”
In the wake of the crime, Beshr said the best thing you can do to help is to continue supporting Habitat for Humanity.
“We’re hopeful a lot of our things will be returned through this arrest,” he said. “The community is incredibly supportive and in terms of what they can do, keep donating to the ReStore, keep coming out to volunteer at our build sites, and yeah, that’s about it.”
Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North helps local families by providing affordable homeownership.
Habitat homeowners build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.
The group also operate two ReStores, one in Courtenay and another in Campbell River.
The ReStore sells used and new furniture, building supplies, and housewares, covering Habitat’s operating expenses so 100 percent of donations go directly to building homes.
