(L-R) Jordan Pletz, Daniel Empey and Taylor Martindale of Primary Skateboards assess the damage following a significant break-in to the Commercial St. business on Monday, Dec. 8 just before 3 a.m. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Damaging break-in

VIDEO: Damaging break-in hands Nanaimo business a significant loss

Dec 9, 2025 | 4:00 PM

NANAIMO — A brazen break-in captured on in-store surveillance video depicts the callous actions of thieves targeting a downtown business.

Primary Skateboards at 60 Commercial St., which had moved to the location near Terminal Ave. just three months ago, was the site of a highly damaging early morning break-and-enter this week involving four individuals.

A leading bandit launched a rock through Primary Skateboard’s front glass door on Monday, Dec. 8 at 2:55 a.m. with upwards of $10,000 worth of inventory quickly stolen from racks and shelves.

A dejected Jordan Pletz is one of three owners of the small business.

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“Four people proceeded to storm the store, stealing product and everything they could get their hands on from our sound system to skateboards, shoes, sweaters, jackets and everything in between.”

Describing the heist as “a big blow” to their bottom line during the holiday shopping season, Pletz said their inventory represented critical revenue heading into next year.

Conversations among his two ownership partners will revolve around filing an insurance claim, which would see their premiums rise, Pletz said.

The shop’s blown-out front door was replaced out of pocket Monday afternoon.

“It’s hard not to feel targeted in such an instance, right? And clearly, we were. This is something we’ve struggled with for our whole existence in downtown Nanaimo,” Pletz said.

Cleaning up from break-ins is nothing new for Primary Skateboards.

The business dealt with several such incidents at their previous more challenging Victoria Cres. location.

While carrying the torch of a local independent skateboard shop is something Pletz and his partners are extremely proud of, he said break-ins and thefts can decimate small businesses navigating an already challenging retail climate.

“It just gets harder and harder when you have setbacks like this.”

Primary Skateboard’s alarm system went off immediately upon the glass shattering, while in-store security footage from multiple angles have been submitted to police.

Pletz, who raised funds to establish a skateboard park at Harewood Centennial Park, favours an increased police or security presence to better protect the city’s downtown.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said police are reviewing evidence from the Primary Skateboards break-in, stating an “active investigation” is underway.

He’s restricted by what he can say to help advance their probe.

Cst. O’Brien said this appeared to be a one-off break-in, noting these types of crimes with four suspects working together is somewhat unusual.

“People are going to talk, they are going to try to sell those items, those items have to be stored somewhere and somebody’s going to know something, and we need to hear from them. It’s unfortunate this business has incurred a significant financial loss,” Cst. O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Anybody with information regarding the Primary Skateboards break-in on Commercial St. is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP’s non-emergency line at: 1-250-754-2345.

A glass restoration worker re-secures Primary Skateboards following a break-in earlier on Monday, Dec. 8.(Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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