Two Fairhaven businesses were the target of break-ins between Friday, Feb. 7 and Sunday, Feb. 9, with one business experiencing $9,000 worth of damages.
In a Facebook post, Firehouse Arts and Event Center said a break-in had occurred either late in the evening on Feb. 8, or early morning on Feb. 9. The perpetrator smashed the glass doors and made away with $500 and caused around $9,000 in damage.
“And the jerks took cookies!” said the post. “Thank goodness they didn’t steal our eggs.”
Good Earth Pottery was also broken into on Feb. 7, according to a social media post. No pottery was taken and the store was able to reopen within a day. Both Fairhaven businesses have reopened and are serving customers.
Claudia Murphy, a patrol lieutenant in the Bellingham Police Department, said both businesses reported the crimes to the police. There are no suspects in either case.
The break-ins are the latest in a string of burglaries and robberies across Whatcom County. Since December, at least 11 incidents have been reported.
In Fairhaven, Serendipity, a consignment boutique, and Fairhaven Runners & Walkers were broken into in mid-December. A few days later contractor Wellman & Zuck reported a burglary. Stones Throw Brewery said an intruder failed to get into their business on Dec. 22.
Bellingham has also experienced a string of break-ins: thousands of dollars worth of tools and cash were taken from Barber Shack and Hair Hut on Dec. 18. Sandwich Odyssey experienced a break-in on Dec. 22 and had to close early, while Soy House Vietnamese was broken into on Dec. 23. A suspect was arrested in relation to the Soy House incident.
On Jan. 28, someone broke into and vandalized the Labels Consignment store at James Street, taking cash but no merchandise, according to a Facebook post. A window in the front of the store was smashed and the business had to close for a day to make repairs.
Cannabis shops across Whatcom County, including Dank of America, Birch Bay Budz and Between the Ferns, were the victim of “smash-and-grab” robberies between Dec. 24 and Jan. 3. A stolen Hyundai used as a getaway vehicle was found and pursued down to Seattle before suspects eluded law enforcement.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
