Pieces of glass were still being picked up by Peter Dykie Jr. and staff inside his Holland Street East Bradford jewelry store.
Dykie, who has been in business for 41 years while serving as a town councilor, said the thief gained entry around 3:48 a.m. Tuesday by breaking the store’s front window with paintballs.
“They left about 400 pounds of glass behind and paintballs,” he said.
The entire smash-and-grab was captured on surveillance cameras and took about 70 seconds. The suspect is seen breaking in and smashing six display cases before leaving with tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, according to Dykie, who runs the store with his son.
“It’s heartbreaking because we put so much work into this business and for someone just to come in and violate our space and destroy things that we work so hard for, it’s very hurtful,” said his son Justin.
Dykie said he has now been the target of brazen thefts and robberies three times since 2009, though he still cannot believe the rise in crime locally.
“I would never believe this would happen in the downtown core of Bradford. After 41 years, I would never believe it,” he said.
Dykie was taken to hospital in June 2023 when he was pistol whipped by an armed suspect during a mid-day attempted robbery. His staff was ordered to the ground, while Dykie, who had a gun pointed at him, said he thought he was going to die that day.
“At the end of the day, jewelry can be replaceable, glass can be replaceable, nobody got hurt. Because what I went through - to have a gun held at you - that was the scariest moment of my life,” said Dykie.
The armed robbery forced the longtime Bradford businessman to install locking systems to allow customers in and out of the store, and the security measures have been startling to customers.
“It is sad because I’ve lived here my whole life in Bradford, 40 years. I know a lot of clients and a lot of them are seniors and feel very unsafe coming in with the security. They don’t understand the door system. But this is the new way of life now,” he added.
Dykie said it is a sign of the times and a necessary step to prevent smash-and-grab thefts, and to protect his staff.
“It just goes to show you crime is coming north, and all the residents have to make sure you lock your doors and have the security in your homes and businesses now,” he said.
Dykie remains confident South Simcoe police will find those responsible and they will be brought to justice. He is asking anyone with information to come forward.
