Hobart cafe Boutique Espresso clean up after early morning theft
The owner of a Hobart cafe says he was relieved to not be there when his coffee shop was ransacked early Monday morning.
Tasmania
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A Hobart cafe was left to clean up the wreckage after someone broke through the glass of the front door and trashed the joint.
Boutique Espresso owner Anthony Cousins says he has been turning away customers all day, who had also become upset after spotting the trail of mess.
He said his knives and the shop’s drinks and ice cream were ransacked during the “horrific” incident.
“We’ve spent the whole day wiping the place down,” Mr Cousins said.
“We’ve got a broken door, and a few broken things that can be replaced … but he really left it in a bit of a mess.”
Tasmania Police said they were investigating a burglary at the Macquarie St coffee shop that happened early Monday morning.
A police spokesperson said a timely tip-off from a member of the public allowed police to arrest a suspect while he was still inside the premises.
A man is in custody assisting police with their enquiries.
Mr Cousins said the cleaner of the building next door had noticed the alleged offender lurking around the area and reported it to police after the cafe’s front door was kicked in.
The incident occurred about an hour before the cafe usually comes to life preparing food and coffees.
“I’m glad I wasn’t here when he came in,” he said.
“It’s not nice for any business to deal with that.”
Mr Cousins said it was the first time his cafe had been broken into over the 13 years he has been the owner.
“Crime has got a lot worse for everyone,” he said.
“It can happen to everyone at any time, whether a small or big business. It just takes someone to decide to pick on [you].”
He said staff and his family helped with the clean up.
With the smashed front door set to be fixed on Monday afternoon, he had one key message for customers.
“The coffees will be flowing tomorrow.”
Originally published as Hobart cafe Boutique Espresso clean up after early morning theft
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