With afternoon turning to evening, Raschel Archambeault would normally be closing-up-shop at East Kennedy, but on Feb. 28, she was waiting for a locksmith.
Earlier in the day she’d learned overnight a man had broken-into the downtown boutique she manages, and so here she was in an unsecured storefront.
“We feel disgusted,” she said. “We feel totally violated.”
There were elements of the incident that make the whole thing feel like more than a simple smash-and-grab or crime of convenience.
The suspect used a specialized tool to gain entry to the building, but instead of snatching couture clothing, swanky bags or designer purses, he left empty-handed. He didn’t even wear a mask or gloves.
“It’s such a trip,” Archambeault said. “My laptop was right there.”
Andrea Blackwell, owner of Blackwell Cosmetics, said the store owned by her daughter next door, Jackie ‘O was also broken into.
“He took nothing, because he’s coming back,” she said, referencing the tool the criminal used to gain entry. “He now has a key.”
At the end of the day, her locksmith confirmed that particular device isn’t one you see often.
David Biton, owner of Buddy’s Locksmith, said the man didn’t even damage the locks.
“It’s like a gun which picks the lock,” he said. “I saw it one time in five years.”
The new lock he installed for Jackie ‘O is outfitted with additional security features.
Blackwell said the store no longer keeps cash on the premises, ever since they were hit with another break-in recently. In that case, the thief made-off with some money.
“Probably the guy’s going to come back and see our new lock and break our window,” she said, commenting with her dark sense of humor. “You know, they’re guys. They don’t want clothes and Gucci…they want cash.”
Back at East Kennedy, LeAnn Green, another manager, said the police responded to their burglar alarm, but left after a while, as the door was locked and nothing seemed awry.
Owner Hayley Aurelio already upped their security measures following a string of thefts.
About a year ago a vintage Gucci paperweight was taken.
And within the past six months: a Chanel wallet on a chain worth $4,500 was taken; and a $1,500 Valentino handbag was also removed from the premises.
Then, on Feb. 17, a woman shoplifted a $219 3D-I bag covered in rhinestones that glitters like a disco ball.
The break-in last week, however, just felt different, says Green.
“There was nothing out of place,” she said, adding she doesn’t fault the police for leaving after an initial check. “I’m sure they thought, too, this is a false alarm.”
Archambeault noted that the man went right for their register.
“He wanted the cash for sure,” she said, pointing out that he didn’t bother with the Chanel or the Dior or the Gucci on display. “He didn’t want any of that.”
The staff felt so disturbed by the incident that, for the rest of the day, they couldn’t bring themselves to sit behind the counter where the man had been snooping in the dark. “Are they going to come back tonight?” she wondered.
On Tuesday, Blackwell said while Jackie ‘O hasn’t faced a break-in since, she hasn’t been informed of an arrest in the case, either.
“Both shops now have those high-security locks,” she said.
