Edmonton police are investigating after a U-Haul van was used to crash into the front of a southside hobby shop early Tuesday morning.
Extensive damage was done to South Edmonton Coin & Currency, located in the area of 57 Avenue and 111 Street in the Lendrum Place neighbourhood.
Shop co-founder Matthew Sztym said he was called at around 4 a.m. when the alarm at the store went off.
“I was called over here to find a U-Haul sitting in the middle of our bay here at the shop,” Sztym said.
He said police arrived on scene first. A tow truck arrived about an hour later to remove the 12-foot cube van from the store.
Sztym doesn’t think much of value was taken from the store. However, the shop was heavily damaged, with the rolling metal door smashed into the shop. Broken glass, shelves and other items were strewn about the store.
“They did steal a few things but nothing too significant. It’s mostly just the damage that we’re worried about,” he explained.
“We’re a hobby shop with a lot of interesting trinkets, but there’s nothing really terribly of value. Small $10, $20 items but that’s about it.”
Edmonton police said silver coins were taken from the business.
This isn’t the first time there’s been crime in the area, Sztym said.
“There’s always a robbery, shoplifting, something happening here and there. It happens now and then.”
Sztym has surveillance cameras at the store. The cost of the damage is not yet known.