A brazen thief walked away with a 1950s Franka Solida III camera at the NU-2-U Thrift Store last Friday.
The camera had been part of a photography display at the front of the store, by the cashier's desk.
"It is valued currently on eBay for just over $500,î said store supervisor Pat Ingram.
"The camera was a donation. Often when we think something has a value of it, we do a bit of research, and this was one item that we researched. It was beautiful.î
While the camera was in excellent condition, items like it are sold as collectibles rather than as working cameras.
The camera had been put on silent auction at the beginning of last week. There had already been a few bids on it.
"The silent auction went until Jan. 27 so that was just starting bids,î said Ingram.
"Who knows what we would be able to get for it?î
Prior to the theft, Ingram said, an individual was riffling through the camera equipment that the store had on display.
"We realized shortly afterwards that this camera was missing,î she said.
Ingram immediately called the RCMP.
"I wanted to make an issue of this because it is really stealing the community from all of us,î she said.
While the store experiences a certain amount of theft, it had never been for expensive items, Ingram said.
"It is usually small little things, like the CDs, DVDs and games.î
"If people are really in need, they just have to come in with a referral and we will give them what they need. That is part of the reason why we are here.î
