Editor's note: This story has been changed from its original version to update the amount of money that was stolen from the register.
ESSA TWP. — Provincial police are investigating after a male suspect used a hammer to smash the front door of an Angus business and then stole a cash register containing about $500 on New Year's Eve.
This comes on the heels of several business break-ins in the village earlier on Dec. 31.
Shortly before midnight on Dec. 31, Nottawasaga OPP officers responded to a break-and-enter in progress at Angus Variety, located at 9 Margaret St. Police say the suspect(s) fled the scene prior to officers' arrival.
Police say the preliminary investigation revealed that one unknown suspect — believed to be male, standing approximately five-foot-10, wearing pale-coloured clothes and carrying a dark-coloured backpack — approached the store from the northwest side and smashed the front door with a hammer.
The suspect then entered the store and stole the register.
The OPP canine unit was deployed to the area, but was unsuccessful in locating the suspect, according to police.
The investigations are ongoing.
"It is believed that this suspect may be involved in several other break-and-enters that occurred in the area in the early morning of that same date," OPP stated in a news release.
Police are asking area residents to review their camera footage or dash-cams for any suspicious activity that may be helpful in this investigation between 10:00 p.m. and midnight on Tuesday Dec. 31, 2024.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122. The reference number on the case is E241715205. Information can also be provided anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.
