Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

A couple of thieves couldn’t wait for a new business to open up in Oliver before stealing inventory from the owner.

On April 21 the proprietor of Sunvolt Supply south of Oliver reported his business had been broken into overnight.

Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth said suspects were identified and police were able to recover many of the stolen items during their investigation. He noted that a witness called police about seeing two people carrying a power pack.

As of Monday, the business was still missing a 16-inch electric chainsaw, a grey chainsaw bag, batteries, and a cordless electric pruner.

Co-owner Daymon James told the Times Chronicle that the culprits cut some wire to gain access to the property and busted down the front door.

“When I came here the next morning there was about probably twenty to thirty thousand dollars worth of equipment laying out here on the ground. They had been packing it out (on foot).”

Some of the stolen equipment was found in a nearby orchard.

He noted the only reason he got some of the equipment back is due to an alert friend who lives on Road 1. He saw the suspects cutting across his property and questioned them about what they were carrying. He subsequently called 911 to report the incident and proceeded to follow the culprits.

“It’s a little discouraging,” said James, who hadn’t officially opened the business yet.

He didn’t have an alarm system the night that it happened but had scheduled to discuss his options with an alarm company the next morning.

“We were a little bit too late,” he chuckled.

James said he was somewhat shocked about what happened, but it wasn’t the first time; someone previously stole his personal tools (a set of drills).

“I had been warned, I mean, that there’s definitely activity around (here), but I was a little shocked it happened this quick.”

James said this was a learning experience for him.

“You’ve got to learn from it . . . you’ve got to do what you can to make it secure, get an alarm. We’re going to get some video cameras up. It’s not going to necessarily stop them but it’s going to deter them a little.”

James said the police response was fantastic.

“I was very happy with what they did. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be, you know, ‘sorry about that but there’s really nothing we can do.’ No, they did their job, I would say.”

James said he’s looking forward to getting his business back on track (if thieves will allow him to).

“I’m just thankful we didn’t lose more.”