The Willistead Restaurant in Walkerville, Windsor.  (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)The Willistead Restaurant in Walkerville, Windsor. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Windsor

Restaurant Owners Fear Crime Spree (Gallery)

A Windsor restaurateur wonders if he's in the midst of a crime spree after four break-ins at east end restaurants.

The most recent was at The Willistead early Monday morning.

Owner Mark Boscariol says he was woken up by a phone call from Windsor police reporting the break-in and arrived to find broken glass inside the front entrance. The thieves made off with three bottles of whiskey.

Later that morning, Boscariol found out there had been a similar break-in across the street at Twisted Apron early Saturday morning. "We're assuming they're the same people because they both only stole whiskey," he says. "I think they thought we'd leave cash out which we never do."

The incident at The Willistead was during a power outage in the area, so surveillance cameras didn't capture the suspects. However, video at the Twisted Apron showed two men on bicycles. "One seemed to have dark hair but both medium height, medium build, both on bicycles, one had bright white running shoes and one had black shoes."

Through social media, he discovered two more break-ins recently, at Lorelei's Bistro further west on Wyandotte St. E and at La Contessa on Erie St.

Windsor police confirm they're investigating commercial break-ins in the area, but will not confirm if they are connected.

Despite the break-in, Boscariol says he doesn't regret opening in Walkerville. He says the support from his neighbours and those on social media have reaffirmed his decision to open his business there.

The front door at The Willistead Restaurant in Windsor June 29, 2015.  (Photo courtesy of Facebook Mark Boscariol)The front door at The Willistead Restaurant in Windsor June 29, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Facebook Mark Boscariol)

Surveillance photo of suspects in a break-in at The Willistead Restaurant in Windsor June 29, 2015.  (Photo courtesy of Facebook Mark Boscariol)Surveillance photo of suspects in a break-in at The Willistead Restaurant in Windsor June 29, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Facebook Mark Boscariol)

Surveillance photo of suspects in a break-in at The Willistead Restaurant in Windsor June 29, 2015.  (Photo courtesy of Facebook Mark Boscariol)Surveillance photo of suspects in a break-in at The Willistead Restaurant in Windsor June 29, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Facebook Mark Boscariol)

 

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