NYLA Fresh Threads on Commercial St. was vandalized early Wednesday, April 13 with the thief making off with some clothes and other items. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

smash and grab

Quick arrest of downtown Nanaimo smash and grab suspect, comes amid rash of similar incidents

Apr 14, 2023 | 11:44 AM

NANAIMO — A man remains in custody following an attempted smash and grab of a local clothing store.

NYLA Fresh Threads on Commercial St., near Bastion St. had one of its front windows smashed around 5 a.m. on Thursday, April 13 with the offender stealing items from inside.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said a downtown security guard spotted the damage a short time later and also noticed items were all over the sidewalk.

“Officers promptly attended and were met by the owner who reviewed video surveillance with them,” O’Brien said in a release. “The video clearly showed a suspect in front of the business at the time of the break-in.”

Bike patrol officers were able to identify and locate the man, 43-year-old Gilbert Frank William Shaw, early into their shift and arrested him around 8:30 a.m. along Wharf St.

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The stolen clothes were inside a backpack Shaw was carrying.

He was charged with break and enter and theft under $5,000 and will appear in court on Friday, April 14.

Shaw is a prolific offender with an extensive record dating back to 2002 including charges of assault, mischief, multiple breaches of court orders and property-related crimes.

“A lot of good things had to happen in order for this arrest to occur. The security guard who promptly reported it, the owner who attended in the middle of the night and having an updated security system. Lastly, we can’t give enough credit to the hardworking Bike Officers.”

O’Brien said their relationship with local business owners was key to getting a result.

NYLA Fresh Threads made news in January when they began trying a new technique to ensure people weren’t sleeping in their storefront all night.

First reported by NanaimoNewsNOW, their external speakers played the viral children’s song “Baby Shark” on loop from closing to opening.

Owner Leon Drzewiecki said at the time the move had an immediate payoff after weeks spent cleaning up the outside every morning.

Thursday’s incident was also not the only recent break-in, attempted or otherwise, in the downtown.

That 50’s Barbershop on Victoria Cres. was vandalized with a smashed front window after a prolonged attack by a person in the late evening hours of Wednesday, April 12.

Nothing was stolen however damage to the front of the store was significant.

It’s unknown whether the same individual is linked to both incidents.

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