“We were close to closing time when a group of five or six people came in together,” said Diana Tyler, who has co-owned the store with her husband, Bart, for 18 years. “It seemed a little suspicious.”
Soon afterwards, an employee ready to go home headed to the back of the store to get his coat. He was delayed by one of the group of people, who stopped him to ask a rather obvious question.
Just after that, the group left. The employee continued to the back of the store and discovered the safe standing open and empty, she said.
The Bedford police have classified the crime as a larceny, meaning items were taken either by force or by illegal entry. The incident is being investigated.
“We do have a security company and we have a surveillance camera, so we hope the video will give us some information,” said Bart Tyler. “This is the first time we've ever been robbed. It’s heartbreaking. Katonah has always been such a nice, safe town.
“It’s hard times right now,” he continued. “That may not be an excuse, but it is a reality. We’re an easy target because we’re so close to the major highways and even the train station.”
“We’ll have to be more careful now,” he said. “Keep things locked. We’re going to work with an expert and also the Chamber of Commerce. We don’t want to make it easy for thieves. We could have made it more difficult.”
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