Shelburne Police continuing with its investigation into local power tool theft

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Shelburne Police Service (SPS) are turning to the community for help after several DeWalt power tools were stolen from the vehicle of a participant in the Little's Haunt in the Town parade, on Oct. 31. 

“It is a shame that someone would target a person who was trying to create some happiness in the midst of a pandemic. This thief capitalized on an opportunity and took items that someone uses to make a living,” wrote SPS Media Relations PC Jennifer Roach. 

While participants in the Halloween parade dressed up in costumes to walk through the town, gathering donations for the local food bank, police say the power tools were taken from the back of the owner's vehicle, which was parked at Fiddle Park. 

“While we were out doing the Haunt in the Park, someone was nice enough to go through our vehicles that were left at Fiddle Park and stole $500 worth of tools,” stated a post on the Little Family's Facebook page. 

“It would be appreciated if anyone who has recently come into possession of a tool belt full of tools, drills and cases be kind enough to return them. Otherwise it sure puts a sour taste into our mouths after all we've done this night,” the post continued. 

The Little Family has been hosting the annual event for over two decades as it evolved into the now-known Haunt in the Park. With the COVID-19 pandemic the family adapted the event to be a parade throughout the town, collecting donations for Shepherd's Cupboard Food Bank. This year the event gathered 5,240 lbs of food and $1,485. 

“This shatters our previous record of 1,091 lbs and $1,005 that we collected last year,” wrote the Little Family. 

PC Roach is asking the community to report anything that they may know about this crime. 

“This person was volunteering for our community, we owe it to them to identify the thief and get these tools back,” said PC Roach. 

Anyone with information in relation to the incident is encouraged to contact the Shelburne Police Service at 519-925-3312 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.