A spike in crime is breaking the hearts of local beauty businesses this month.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has noted a marked increase in break and enters within Vernon.
Since Dec. 15, investigators have responded to more than a dozen reports of an unknown person or persons gaining entry to businesses after-hours. It appears that the majority of the businesses targeted are salons in the beauty industry with entry gained by smashing through the doors or windows.
In some of the cases, the business was found insecure by a passer-by who reported it to police,
said Cpl. Tania Finn, media relations officer. The amount of damage done by these suspects to break into the property is often far greater than anything they steal from inside.
Gail Soukeroff is just one of the latest victims after her salon, Artistic Hair Design, was broken into Christmas morning.
"This is the second time in two weeks for me," said Soukeroff, who said the alarm likely prevented the criminal from finding anything, although they left a big mess. "The police said a barbershop was also broken into this morning (Dec. 25)."
The investigations continue in this string of break and enters.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call 250-545-7171. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
