A local business owner is beefing up security following a break-in and theft of more than $500 in merchandise last week.

Helen Mooney, owner of What’s in Store, said she reported the break-in at the 1 Mile Haines Highway store Aug. 26. The business is a consignment store, meaning Mooney sells goods belonging to other people, who receive a portion of the proceeds when the item is sold.   

“I didn’t notice it instantaneously. It took me about five minutes and I called the police,” Mooney said. “They were messy. They didn’t try to put things back just like they were.”

Mooney said police believe the burglar entered through a locked door.

“We don’t know if they picked a lock or had a key,” she said. “We verified they couldn’t’ have come through the windows, because the cobwebs were all in place. And I will never clean my windows now.”

Police chief Bill Musser said the department has initiated an investigation.

Mooney said she has already changed the locks and added a metal plate to the door’s lock to prevent someone from using a screwdriver or other device to access the store. She is also considering installing security cameras.“That’s probably going to happen now,” Mooney said.

Mooney said stealing from a consignment store somehow seems particularly reprehensible.

“They didn’t just go and break in to steal someone’s merchandise. They stole things that other people are trying to make money on,” Mooney said. “These aren’t my items. This isn’t just one person that you are choosing to do something to. It’s your community.”

Mooney said she has never had a break-in or theft of substantial value. “I get petty theft in there all the time. People steal earrings and stuff like that, and I think that’s sad, especially when they are just $2,” she said.

Police are making extra patrols around the store, Mooney said. She wouldn’t say what specific items were stolen.