Julie bears the brunt of heartless burglary

Feb 8 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A TEDDY bear heist has left a shop owner £5,000 out of pocket after her business was burgled seven days after opening.

Julie Cairns, 48, who owns Thoughts Cards and Gift Shop, in Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle, closed her shop as normal on Tuesday evening.

But when she returned on Wednesday morning, she was horrified to find the place had been ransacked.

More than 100 teddy bears, ranging from 6ins to 36ins tall, had been stolen.

The biggest bears cost in excess of £100, but the smaller bears are valued between £9 and £50.

Cards, jewellery, cash and stamps were also taken, amounting to a combined total of more than £5,000.

Mrs Cairns said: “All the shelves were bare and there were cards that had been jumped on in the back room.

“There were a couple of hundred pounds worth of damage just on those.

“It’s been very traumatic and we’ve only been open a week. I’m just so devastated. … I just feel like giving up.”

Mrs Cairns, who has four children, has resorted to sleeping on the floor of her gift store to protect her business. She said: “On Wednesday night my husband said he was going to come down and sleep here and I didn’t want him to do it on his own, so I came with him.

“It was terrifying because I think they targeted our shop. They only took the expensive things.”

Mrs Cairns is now struggling to pay her bills after her shop was stripped so close to Valentine’s Day.

She said: “I have phoned the card company to try and get extra time to pay, but it’s going to be difficult without stock.

“We are just small fish. We aren’t a big company that can afford this.

“I wouldn’t know what to say if I ever met who did this. I hope they are caught.

“But I’m quite grateful they didn’t destroy more things in the shop, like the cards shelves.”

Insp Steve Baker said: “This crime has had a significant impact on the victim, who has only recently opened the premises.

“I would ask anyone with information to help the police in identifying those responsible for the crime.”

Anyone with information should call 08456 043043 ext 62205.