Shop owner counts costs in tens of thousands after break-in

The owners of a Darwin store are counting their losses after thieves smashed through a glass window and ransacked the shop of alcohol.

Best Foods Darwin at Tipperary Waters was broken into overnight. Picture: Rubin Poulose

THE owners of Best Foods Darwin are counting their losses after thieves smashed through a glass window and ransacked the shop of alcohol.

Owner Rubin Poulose said he estimated there was a $15,000 to $20,000 bill to repair and replace damages and loss of goods after his Tipperary Waters shop was broken into at 12.45am.

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He said the group of six or seven people used items wrapped in clothing to smash their way through the glass window and wooden backing before pushing a fridge which backed on to the wall away to gain entry.

He said the group then entered the shop twice to steal booze.

He estimated the loss in bottles of spirits and beer to be around $2500.

“It’s really frustrating with the amount of damage and the current climate economically,” Mr Poulose said.

Best Foods Darwin on Tipperary Waters was broken into overnight with $2500 in liquor stolen. Picture: Rubin Poulose

He said the extent of damage to the shop meant they were unable to trade today, thereby losing an estimated $5000 in trade.

“Our (insurance) premiums are already through the roof I just don’t know how we are going to cope,” he said.

Less than two weeks ago thieves attempted to break into the shop but were unsuccessful.

He said he had reported the incident to police but they had yet to visit the shop.

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