Mounties are seeking the public's help to locate the culprits who broke into the Spruce View Community Hall last month and stole more than 30 antique signs that were earmarked for a public auction.
Innisfail RCMP said the hall was broken into between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m. on Feb. 23.
Police said the signs, which they estimate to have a value of between $30,000 and $40,000, were vintage antique models made for Pepsi, Crush, Coca-Cola and tobacco brands. They were set up for an auction that was taking place that day, added RCMP.
Dawn Edmondson, caretaker for the hall, said Timberlind Auctions of Buck Creek, Alta., rented the hall and was contracted by a client from Manitoba to sell the signs. She said Timberlind Auctions has rented the hall for previous auctions.
“It is a very nice hall and that is one of the reasons we get a lot of out-of- community bookings because we are fairly centrally located and reasonably priced,” said Edmondson.
She confirmed there was a break-in at the hall on Feb. 23 and said nothing was taken other than the signs and “some” oil cans.
Edmondson said she discovered that weekend that the power had been disconnected to the hall.
“They (culprits) took the meter and unplugged it from the exterior of the building and a door was left open. There was no damage done to the hall at all,” said Edmondson.
Carol Lind, co-owner of Timberlind Auctions, said she could not comment on the break-in other than the monetary loss was “closer” to $20,000.
“We are the auction company that sells them on behalf of another person. The consigner brought them to Spruce View. We were just there to sell them,” said Lind.
Innisfail RCMP are asking citizens of the Spruce View community to report any suspicious persons or vehicles they may have observed in the Spruce View Community Hall area between midnight and 8 a.m. on Feb. 23.
If anyone has any information on this break-in and theft he or she is asked to contact the Innisfail RCMP at (403) 227-3342, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or via Internet at www.tipsubmit.com.
