In a brazen display of criminal appetite, thieves targeted a family-owned bakery in Richmond twice within the same hour, leaving owners bewildered and local authorities scrambling to identify the culprits who seemingly couldn’t resist coming back for seconds.
Security footage from Delightful Pastries on No. 3 Road captured the unusual double break-in that occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday. At approximately 2:15 a.m., two masked individuals shattered the front glass door and quickly made their way to the register, taking approximately $300 in cash along with several trays of freshly-prepared pastries set for morning delivery.
“We’ve experienced break-ins before, but never one where they returned so quickly,” said Emma Chen, whose family has operated the bakery for over 15 years. “The first time was shocking enough, but to see them come back just 40 minutes later—it’s both infuriating and almost comical.”
In what investigators are calling an “unusually persistent crime,” the same individuals returned at approximately 2:55 a.m., re-entering through the already damaged doorway. During their second visit, the thieves targeted the storage area, taking several boxes of premium imported chocolate and specialty baking ingredients valued at over $1,200.
Richmond RCMP Constable Sarah Wilson confirmed the dual break-in to CO24 News, noting that the department is actively investigating. “The timing suggests these weren’t opportunistic crimes but rather targeted actions by individuals who knew exactly what they were looking for,” Wilson explained. “The second entry indicates they either forgot something of value or realized there were additional items worth taking.”
The bakery’s newly installed surveillance system captured clear footage of both incidents, showing the perpetrators wearing dark clothing and face coverings. Despite their attempts to conceal their identities, authorities believe distinctive mannerisms and physical characteristics might help identify the suspects.
This incident comes amid rising concerns about retail crime across Canada, with small businesses often bearing the brunt of these offenses. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business recently reported a 23% increase in theft-related incidents affecting small retailers over the past year.
For the Chen family, the financial impact extends beyond the stolen items. “We had to cancel our morning deliveries and close for the day to clean up and secure the store,” explained Chen. “That’s another $2,000 in lost revenue, plus repair costs for the door and additional security measures we now need to implement.”
Local business owners have rallied around Delightful Pastries, with neighboring shops offering support and sharing their own surveillance footage to assist the investigation. The community response highlights the growing solidarity among small business owners facing similar challenges.
Criminologist Dr. Michael Patel from Simon Fraser University suggests this type of repeat targeting is becoming more common. “What we’re seeing is a risk assessment calculation by thieves. Once they’ve successfully broken in and faced no immediate consequences, the perceived risk of returning drops significantly while the potential reward remains high.”
As Richmond RCMP continues their investigation, they’ve asked local residents and businesses to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Meanwhile, the Chen family has vowed to strengthen security measures while maintaining their commitment to serving the community they’ve been part of for nearly two decades.
As small businesses across the country face similar threats, one must wonder: at what point does the financial and emotional burden of these crimes force family enterprises to make the difficult decision between investing in increasingly expensive security systems or closing their doors permanently?
