Volunteers of thrift store Dromehof in Zwaag were shocked yesterday afternoon. A group of thieves made a commotion in the store and pointed a dummy gun at the cashier. Among other things, they took off with a stack of plates.
“What is it about, a few plates, a bowl and maybe some clothes? It’s about nothing,” says employee Gerda indignantly. Coincidentally, she is in the store yesterday as a customer and notices that there is unrest. “A group of people distracted the employees present. Then I saw that something was being stolen.”
According to the employees, it would be a group of Eastern Europeans. “I saw two women and three men. A young woman walked out with about six white plates in her hand. And an older lady had a white bowl in her bag.”
‘Toy Gun’
As a diversionary tactic, the employee behind the cash register is threatened with a fake pistol from the circulation itself. “It was quite funny. Fortunately, she immediately saw that it was a plastic toy gun and reacted calmly,” says store owner Entenie Kleerekoper.
According to him, there is no question of a robbery. “Our volunteers were shocked when they read it in the media yesterday, but the story is a lot more boring. Even though you really don’t do something like that and we were very shocked by the incident.”
Theft
After the group leaves the store, they call the police. The theft was also captured on surveillance cameras. “It took two hours to view all the images. I would much rather spend that time stickering new products for the store.” Unfortunately, theft is no exception. Entenie: “It happens daily, we have a whole list of occurrences.”
It is also not the first time for Gerda. “Two older ladies who brought jewelry, I was also here as a customer in the store then. So I shouldn’t come into the store as a customer anymore,” she jokes. But mostly she’s angry. “I’m here as a volunteer, with the proceeds for charity. So every 50 cents that is stolen, I can get angry.”
‘We will not let ourselves be crushed’
This morning the staff is talking about it with a cup of coffee. Not everyone knows what actually happened. “It’s good to talk about it with all of us. I hope our colleague is doing well, only later will we realize what has happened.” In the meantime, Gerda is back behind the cash register. “We won’t let ourselves be crushed. Don’t think about it, just think about the nice customers and the fun here among themselves.”
The extent of the damage and exactly what items were stolen is still unclear. Anyone caught stealing must pay a fine of 181 euros and receive a shopping ban. The police have the group of six to eight people in the picture. Arrests have not yet been made.