Florida Hallmark store experiences robbery

Recently in Florida there have been a string of burglaries at local strip malls and stores.  Just the other week, masked men held up a liquor store and this was following a breaking and entering at a small, indecently owned clothing boutique in December.  Now it is being reported that another robbery took place in North Fort Myers.

According to reports from the Lee County Sherriff’s office there was a burglary committed on North Cleveland Avenue at Kimberly’s Hallmark Gold Crown Store.  The robbery occurred after the store closed for business late Saturday, January 14th and was discovered when the store was reopened in the morning, Sunday January 15th.  The store owner told local authorities that “someone broke into the store and stole $35,000 worth of merchandise.”  Among the items stolen, were pocketbooks and bags from designer Vera Bradley, figurines from both the Jim Shore and Precious Moments collections, as well as a vast array of different jewelry, umbrellas, watches, flip flop sandals and musical CDs.

When asked about the robbery, Janele Kreps owner of Kimberly’s Hallmark, stated, “The worst thing that was hit was our Vera Bradley purses. And we also had Precious Moments figurines and other jewelry.” The employees spent Sunday cleaning up the mess of broken glass throughout the store, reorganizing inventory, and restocking shelves with the items which were stolen.  Kreps also stated that she is devastated as she had just ordered a large shipment from Vera Bradley.

As there were no video cameras at the store, police are asking anyone with any information to come forward.  As well, they are asking other local Hallmark and card stores to be wary of people attempting to return items without a receipt.  They have also not connected this particular burglary to the other previous stores.