Vandals attack Aylmer appliance store

Julie Murray

During the night of February 1, vandals struck the Josma appliance store, located in Lucerne Plaza, spraying black graffiti over all the appliances, on the walls, the desk and the computer, causing $40,000 in damages. “This is devastating. This is our livelihood,” says owner Josma Karabegovic, adding, “We’re covered by insurance, but in the meantime we have no income.” His partner adds, “It’s very difficult because the bills keep coming. I’m in real estate and this is a slow time of the year for me. We were counting on this income.”

Stupidity of racists

The vandals also wrote racist, offensive messages on the wall, telling Mr Karabegovic, “Arab, go back [expletive deleted] home.” As Mr Karabegovic is from Bosnia, an acquaintance remarked, “Criminals are getting more stupid every day.”

Crowbar attack

Mr Karabegovic wonders whether the criminals are a group of kids seeking revenge on him, as he had recently asked the group, who were smoking marijuana in front of his store, to move away. He also says that he is involved in court with some customers who “came after him with a crowbar because he couldn’t fix their washing machine,” said his partner.

“This is terrible,” says customer Wendy Watson. “He’s very good-hearted. He didn’t deserve this.” Mr Karabegovic holds out hope that justice will be served. “You work hard to make something for yourself, and then to have someone come in and trash it all, overnight, like it’s nothing; that’s hard to take,” he says. “It would be nice if there were consequences.” The police say the crime is under investigation.

The store remains open, because Mr Karabegovic, who is awaiting word on whether insurance will cover the damage, brought in appliances he had stored at his home. For information or to provide anonymous tips on the culprits, write josma_appliances@hotmail.com or contact the Gatineau police.

Mr Karabegovic with some of the vandalism inflicted on his business.

Photo: Julie Murray

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