Toronto convenience store looks to combat serial squirrel thieves

TORONTO, Jan. 6 (UPI) — The owners of a Toronto convenience store looked to the Internet for help stopping squirrels from stealing their candy bars.

Video shared to YouTube channel StopThatSquirrel DropThatBar on Wednesday showed a squirrel entering the Luke’s Grocery to steal a $1.80 Crunchie on Nov. 19 before escaping down the street.

“Nearly wintertime. We keep our door closed. But every once in a while, we open it for some fresh air or delivery — and the menace strikes,” the video description stated. It was in the mood for toffee this time…

Reddit user Quilterrday shared a post in October noting that one or more squirrels regularly sneaked into the family convenience store to steal candy bars.

“For around a week or two, a squirrel (either the same one or maybe not) has been coming in when we are not looking, taking a chocolate bar, and dashing off,” Quilterrday wrote. “It’s a different bar each time — O’Henry, Mr. Big, etc. It happens about once every 2-3 days.”

The first capture video of one of the thieving squirrels was filmed Oct. 8 as the sneaky critter walked into the store and nabbed a $2 Kinder Bueno bar before scurrying off.

The family said efforts to chase down the squirrels proved unsuccessful and animal services showed no interest in their case.

“We simply can’t afford to close the door and turn on ventilation/cooling to max, with hydro bills being what they are,” the Reddit post stated. “Having said that, we have been store owners our whole lives, with 7+ years spent at this particular store, and never had a problem with this routine. Until the squirrel started showing up.”

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