Winnipeg vape shops targeted by thieves

Winnipeg police are investigating a string of break-ins at vape shops around the city.

A number of break-ins have been reported to police in the past twoweeks, including two this week at Jeremy Loewen's Vape Haven on Pembina Highway.

Someone threw a big rock through one of the shop's windows early Tuesday and took vaporizers as well asjuice the fluid used to create the vapour.

Then, around 3 a.m. Wednesday, thieves broke another window, next to the boarded-up one,and stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.

"They took a hitch off a vehicle and pitched that through [the window]. The floor's all wrecked, damaged.There's glass embedded right into the floor,"Loewensaid.

Daniel Lofchick, whoowns Cold Turkey Vape Shop, said his downtown store on Edmonton Street was broken into four times in the past two weeks. His store in St. Vital was also hit once in that time.

As with Loewen'sstore, thieves broke intoLofchick's business through the windows.

Lofchickhas security camerasbut is looking at installing metal blinds over the windows when the shop is closed.

Although he's been open 2years, the break-ins didn't start untilthis spring.

"I'm just disgusted by the whole thing," Loewensaid.

"I'm just a small business trying to make a go of things, trying to help people quit smoking and everything. And then you've got a bunch of rogue yahoos that got to close to putting youout of business."

JaysonSultelmanages Fat Panda on St. Anne's Road and said thieves drove a vehicle through the shop's front window early Wednesday. The company's Portage Avenue location was also robbed that same morning.

Winnipeg police said they're investigating thefollowing vape shop breaks-ins:

• July 5Fat Panda (3737 Portage Ave.) No information yet.Report still beingcompleted.
• July 5VapeHaven (1921PembinaHighway)Money and various items stolen.
• July4VapeHaven (1921PembinaHighway)15vapesworth$1,200and 30 juices worth$900stolen.
• July1Cold Turkey (77 Edmonton St.)Broken into but nothing stolen.
• June 29 Fat Panda (980 St. Anne's Rd.)Vapemachines and kits stolen.
• June 2Cold Turkey (77 Edmonton St.) 20 bottles of juice with a value of $600 stolen.

String of break-ins at vape shops in Winnipeg

7 years ago

Duration 1:26

Winnipeg police are investigating a string of break-ins at vape shops around the city, including two this week at Jeremy Loewen's Vape Haven on Pembina Highway.