Islands Sounder Publisher, Editor
The day before Christmas eve, jeweler Vance Stephens received a very unwelcome surprise.
His shop Shinola on North Beach Road was broken into and robbed.
“It’s very disappointing,” he said. “Like most people who live here, we have the illusion we live in a bubble of safety – away from the nastiness we see on television. But alas, it is not so.”
A rock was thrown through the store’s front window and numerous hand-made jewelry pieces were stolen.
Stephens says he and other island shop keepers have taken steps to upgrade their security.
The Shinola break-in was one of six incidents in Eastsound over the last six weeks, according to Sheriff Rob Nou.
Both homes and businesses have been burglarized. Items stolen included alcohol, ammunition, household items, computers, flat screen televisions, kayaks and jewelry.
“All of these were forced entry,” Nou said. “Make sure your building is secure and invest in quality locks.”
Nou would not comment on any leads, but said it is an active investigation.
He speculates the recent Orcas incidents are not tied to the holiday season.
Nou said burglaries are an “odd cyclical thing” that happen in clusters. In many cases, the police arrest one person in relation to the crimes.
“In most of these, people are keeping records of the make, model and serial number of their electronics, so if the items surface, there is a good chance of them making their way back to the owner,” Nou said.
If anyone has information about the burglaries, call the Sheriff’s Office at 378-4151.
