Cochrane RCMP was called to Mountain View Optometry early Monday morning following a break-in. The thief(s) stole 63 frames along with several display shelves after smashing through the front door window. Dr. Tom Wilk said he estimates the total retail value of stolen goods was $19,500. Surveillance video managed to capture a glimpse of the culprit who escaped before RCMP could arrive. Wilk said his office will be installing less breakable glass among a variety of other theft-proofing measures to amp up its security. In the 18 years that Wilk has had an office in Cochrane, this is the first time it has been broken into. Wilk said he’s heard of these type of break-ins happening to many of his optometry colleagues around the province. “The No. 1 item that they seem to be interested in is non-prescription sunglasses,” Wilk said, adding they started removing these items from the premises at night time. The items that were stolen this time were regular eyeglass frames. “I think the message from this is if you’re a business owner, just be aware that these folks are out there and take a look at your existing security measures and try to analyze whether they’re accurate or not. The last thing you want to be is a target,” Wilk said. RCMP is still investigating.
