Canadian Goodwill dealing with string of break-ins, thefts in Winnipeg

A Canadian Goodwill thrift store was broken into twice in two days in Winnipeg. (CTV News/Glenn Pismenny)

A non-profit charitable organization is encouraging people to shop or donate at its thrift stores this weekend after a rash of break-ins and thefts earlier this week.

Charlotte McTavish, executive director of Canadian Goodwill Industries, said windows at its Pembina Highway thrift store were shattered early Tuesday morning and several items were stolen during the break-in.

McTavish said a second break-in occurred on Wednesday morning at the same location.

“They had ripped off the plywood… and they again stole some more items,” McTavish said. “Don’t know if it’s the same person or not.”

The string of incidents continued Thursday when staff discovered that catalytic converters had been stolen from two of their cube trucks.

“I don’t believe [Goodwill] is being targeted,” McTavish said. “I believe they are all separate incidents and people who are taking catalytic converters know what they’re doing when they can come in, do it fast, and also, it looked pretty clean.”

McTavish said Goodwill has insurance, but the organization will still need to cover some costs related to the catalytic converter theft.

“We still have to rent rucks, we still have to get those fixed, and there’s always depreciation,” she explained. “We have to pay the deductible, so there’s lots of expenses that go along with it.”

She added it’s cheaper for Goodwill to pay to replace the broken windows at the Pembina Highway store than to go through its insurance company.

“Now more than ever we’re asking people to come in to shop or donate… anything they can do to help.”

Canadian Goodwill has five locations in Winnipeg and a sixth in Ashern, Man. Store hours and information on how to donate are available on its website.