Thousands of dollars of stock were stolen in a break-in to the Redneck Barbie Inc. clothing boutique, located inside the TRU Hardware store, early on March 12.
The break-in occurred around 6 a.m. on Friday morning.
According to owner Mary Lynn Ellingson, the Ponoka RCMP met her at the store, and after reviewing the surveillance images, they had a good idea of who the suspect was and he was located in a matter of hours.
“Our Ponoka RCMP are amazing,” said Ellingson.
“I’m still traumatized by the fact anyone would or could do this — like businesses don’t have enough of a battle without added expenses.”
Ellingson estimates about 60 per cent of the stolen items were recovered, but says there is still about a $10,000 loss when the remaining stock and damage to the building, including a $3,000 window that had to be replaced, are added up.
Items taken include clothing, Klim riding gear, Troy Lee gloves and original, handmade jewellery.
Ellingson is asking people who have purchased items lately on Facebook buy and sell pages or at pawn shops to check if they were stolen from her store, and to please turn them in to the Ponoka RCMP.
Photos of what was taken are on the Redneck Barbie Inc. Facebook page.
An adult male, Dylan O’Connor Gillard, was charged in the theft and was released by a justice of the peace on a release order. He is to appear at Ponoka Provincial Court on April 9, 2021.
Ponoka RCMP confirmed they were able to recover a significant amount of the items deemed to be stolen shortly after the incident and make a quick arrest based on surveillance images and information received from the public.
The Ponoka RCMP asks anyone with information regarding the stolen items to please contact the detachment.
