A theft of costume jewellery has left Gibsons' resident Verna Chan devastated, angry and scared for her safety.
Approximately $10,000 worth of costume jewellery, jade, gold and vintage jewellery was stolen from Chan's home on Veterans Road last week.
"I have a feeling it happened while I was at work on Friday," said Chan.
She has been collecting the jewellery for the past 30 years. Although the total amount she has spent on the jewellery is around $10,000, she says much of what was taken would be worthless to the perpetrators.
"Most of it would be worth nothing in a pawn shop, and they'll probably just throw it away or keep it to give to girlfriends for Christmas or something," said Chan.
Chan is a local singer. She wore much of the vintage jewellery while performing. Some of the pieces stolen had significant sentimental value.
But more than the loss of the jewellery, Chan has lost a sense of security.
"I lived in East Vancouver for a number of years and was never broken into. I felt safe on the Coast, but now I've lost that security. The other day I was coming home and it was dark and I thought I heard something in the house. I had a panic attack thinking someone was inside," said Chan.
Chan is asking others for help locating her stolen jewellery.
"They stuffed all the jewellery into a big red canvas-type bag used to hold a large, long drum. It's pretty unique, so if anyone saw it I hope they will report it to the police," said Chan.
Sunshine Coast RCMP Const. Grant Richey is working on Chan's file. If you have information on this crime, you can contact him at 604-885-2266.
"It's heartbreaking to lose something so personal, so important to you. I don't think they realize what they've done," said Chan.
