WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — A brazen theft targeting Williams Market on Nanticoke Road has left the small business reeling, as perpetrators made off with a total of eighteen flower baskets valued at $720. The incidents, occurring under the cloak of night, have stirred concerns within the local community.
The modus operandi of the thieves was revealed in a meticulous operation. Despite the market’s closure and the installation of a protective fence, the culprits devised a cunning plan. They parked discreetly alongside the road, circumvented the barriers, and targeted a display at the front of the property where the flower baskets were suspended.
The initial pilferage transpired on Tuesday, May 21st, under the veil of darkness. John McCaig, a seasoned employee of the market for six years, recounted the events, disclosing that the perpetrators struck at approximately 10:30 p.m. Two individuals disembarked from a vehicle and swiftly absconded with ten flower baskets, each boasting a value of $40.00.
Unabated, the audacious thieves returned for a second time on Thursday, May 23rd, exacerbating the anguish of the local proprietors. This time, eight additional flower baskets vanished, further denting the market’s financial well-being.
Expressing dismay and frustration, McCaig lamented the impact on the family-run establishment, emphasizing the challenges faced by smaller businesses in recuperating such losses. “This is not akin to a corporate behemoth capable of absorbing such blows,” he remarked. “Williams Market is a cherished mom and pop store, and it’s disheartening to witness such callous acts of theft.”
Barbara Klebon, a loyal patron of Williams Market spanning over three decades, echoed McCaig’s sentiments. “It’s deeply disheartening and enraging to witness such a violation of private property,” she remarked, encapsulating the sentiments of the community.
As authorities investigate the brazen thefts, the resilience of Williams Market and the solidarity of its patrons stand as testament to the indomitable spirit of local businesses in the face of adversity.
