A series of crimes targeting a beltline restaurant has left the owners of Simply Irie wondering if the thefts are racially motivated.
The restaurant specializes in Caribbean fusion.
In order to stay open during the pandemic, the owners built a patio, investing nearly $20,000.
“It was sink or swim,” Bruney said. “Something needed to be done.”
But someone has come back repeatedly to steal umbrellas and chairs, on separate occasions, over the course of a month.
Owner Fay Bruney said the morning of June 9 was the first theft. She said the thief even cut through chains to snag the items that were locked up.
“I was shocked to see the umbrellas were gone. Then we noticed chains were gone.”
It happened again on two more separate days, the last being July 2.
“They had also taken four chairs that are not easy to take,” Bruney said.
“There is a sense we were being targeted and why?”
“He took everything he could get his hands on; it was sickening to watch the footage of him. I have not even paid for the patio yet and now I’m watching it get picked over, not once or twice, but three times,” said Bruney.
“The gentleman was so comfortable, he walked up and he knew what he was doing. It was 5:02 in the morning. It was like he was entitled to it.”
Bruney said no other restaurant patios in the area were targeted and she feels there’s a possibility this may have been racially motivated.
“It’s just been a really tough year.”
Ariel O’Neil works at the restaurant and said it’s been hard to see Bruney get emotional about it.
“I see how these things are breaking her down. It hurts me. I see her as a mom and it’s hard because she puts on a brave face and it’s just one thing after another.”
She said the string of crimes feels personal.
“They’re not hitting anybody else and I see the pain it’s causing,” O’Neil said.
Bruney filed a police report and it will be investigated.
Calgary police said they had just received the preliminary report and couldn’t say yet whether or not the thefts are racially motivated.