"It's disheartening. You work all your life for something and it's all taken away," says North Bay Auto Service owner/operator David Battistoni.
Battistoni has put 16 years of hard work into building his business but a recent rash of break-ins and thefts has him looking at retirement options.
"I'm right on the fence, I could go either way. Anymore and probably, that's it." shares Battistoni. "Unless the courts do something, everybody's hands are tied. All they get is a slap on the wrist and they're out again."
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Battistoni confirms his Hammond Street business was broken into last week and thousands of dollars worth of tools and computer equipment were stolen, as was a vehicle — since recovered. He says he is appreciative the North Bay Police Service is investigating. NBPS has released descriptions of three suspects.
North Bay Auto Service was also broken into in late August, according to the owner. Battistoni says, in total, he is out over $20,000 in lost property plus the cost of a new security system. He claimed what he could through insurance in relation to the August incident but says he will be uninsurable if he does the same for the latest thefts.
"They've taken my computers — twice, in both break-ins. My tools, scanners," he says. "They've broken into my customers' cars overnight. Stolen cars. Drilled holes in the gas tank to steal fuel."
Battistoni admits he has been personally affected by the crimes, saying he understands how homeowners feel violated when their properties are involved.
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"I've even caught them in broad daylight," going through the cars, he says. "I'm sitting in the car right next to them. I roll down the window and shout at them. I tell all my customers not to leave anything valuable in their vehicles."
Battistoni describes the sinking feeling he got after opening his business door the mornings after the break-ins only to see his life's work ransacked, his possessions stolen, his valued customers' possessions damaged or stolen.
"We try to keep an eye on the neighbourhood but it has changed," he says. "We never had a problem at all, just in the last two years."
