Clipper City Barbershop robbed of goods worth VT500,000 after earthquake
December 30, 2024 10:24 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris.
Clipper City Barbershop, located inside the Port Vila Central Business District (CBD), was robbed after the recent magnitude 7.3 earthquake, with goods worth around VT500,000 stolen.
The shop, which was closed following the quake, was left vulnerable despite the presence of security officers in the area. The items stolen includes cordless clippers, trimmers, shavers, drinks, t-shirts, and JBL speakers.
According to the owner, Jean Claude Emelee, the door was left open, and the cash box was damaged, with a rope cut and nothing left untouched.
Emelee is asking the public to be on the lookout for anyone trying to sell Clipper City-branded gear or new tools. He noted that the stolen clippers and trimmers will be useless to the thieves, as the chargers were left behind.
“Stealing these items took some intelligence. It doesn’t make sense otherwise,” Emelee said.
The owner is calling on the communities of Ifira, Pango, Seaside, Malapoa, Manples, Ohlen, Anamburu, Freshwota, and Erakor to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
“We are a small, locally owned business. Let’s not harm each other in our own community,” Emelee urged.
Emelee also expressed frustration with the Vanuatu Military Force (VMF) and Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), who he claims block business owners from accessing their shops but fail to provide adequate protection.
“The VMF and VPF block us from our businesses, but they don’t protect us. This is very disappointing,” he said.
“The damage was pointless. They took tools that are useless without the chargers. My point of sale system was damaged too, just for the sake of causing destruction. None of what they took will be of any use to them. It’s all just useless stuff for them.”
The theft has delayed the reopening of Clipper City, and Emelee now faces the challenge of ordering new supplies and waiting for their arrival while his staff wait to resume work.
