PORT TOWNSEND — Police are investigating the third and most damaging of three burglaries at Vintage Hardware in the past year, which took place overnight Thursday and caused at least $3,000 in damage.
“That’s two in two weeks,” said Ken Kelly, owner of Vintage Hardware at 2000 W. Sims Way in Port Townsend.
“They really had a ball this time.”
Burglars fled with $1,500 cash in a July 8 burglary, exactly a year after a $2,000 window was broken on the building with a landscape timber.
Thieves made off with only $130 in cash in this week’s break-in, Kelly said, but the burglary has convinced him to invest in camera surveillance.
Neighboring business owner Bob Koeniq already has installed cameras around his Port Townsend Laundromat and Car Wash, across from Vintage Hardware at 2115 W. Sims Way.
“They’re getting more vicious every time they come around,” Koenig said.
He said he can now keep an eye on his business from home through his surveillance cameras.
As for Kelly, he said, “I’ve just had it.
“Things are going on up here. It’s getting scary.
“I can’t afford to stay in business and get hit every week.”
