‘Lingerie, vibrators, toys’: Adult Bliss Erotic Boutique reveals financial burden after theft spree

The owners of a sex shop in Adelaide’s east say the brazen thief wandered past police just hours after nabbing almost $2000 in sex toys – and causing thousands of dollars damage.

The owners of a sex shop in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs say they are devastated a man robbed their display window and took about $2000 worth of lingerie, vibrators, toys – and then walked straight by police investigating the robbery.

About 3.30am Thursday May 23 a man is seen on CCTV footage breaking into and entering the business on Glen Osmond Road, police say.

He stole items including sex toys and lingerie, and returned several times over a period of about two hours.

Adult Bliss Erotic Boutique co-owner Simon Mawson said he believes police and the thief even crossed paths the following morning.

“The frustrating part was that the guy (thief) was staying at an inn down the road – which we know because we have a neighbour’s footage of him walking between our shop and that inn,” he said.

“And the following morning, when police (were) interviewing people on the street, he probably walked straight by them at some point.

“I know the police force is thinly spread and there’s a lot of crime in this area and beyond but you still can’t but help annoyed by this.”

The CCTV released by police (below) shows the thief during the robbery – but not the next morning.

Simon Mawson and his co-owner Monique Turmine reveal the impact their business has suffered after the robbery. Picture Matt Turner.

Mr Mawson said the new window display had only just been installed.

“He used a screwdriver or something to break in – it took him a little while because the window was laminated but he eventually kicked in the bottom section of the glass and got in.

“Once in, he took everything from the window display – he took lingerie, vibrators, toys and a mannequin hand – he pretty much cleaned it all out.”

Mr Mawson said after reviewing the CCTV footage it became known that the thief made several trips with a bag to and from the shop over two hours.

The estimated retail value of the stolen items was just under $2000.

Unfortunately, the alarm faulted during the break in and crime remained undiscovered until a worker arrived at the store in the morning and reported it to the police.

The long-term financial burden this spree had on the business is already thousands of dollars.

Mr Mawson said they were still holding out for their insurance company to cover the costs.

He said he expected a bill of $3000 for the damaged window and would be investing another $1000 into upgrading their CCTV system.

Meanwhile, police are asking anyone with information to assist the investigation by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.