Mayor Tim Kriebel is calling for a “flash mob-style” weekend of kindness in response to the theft of thousands of dollars’ worth of liquor from a local business.
Police are investigating the case of a trio of thieves using fraudulent credit cards in the heist from White Star Liquors at 6812 Ventnor Ave.
Supposed party planners came to the store Monday to purchase large quantities of top-shelf spirits for a party they were planning nearby, Elisa Victoria posted on her Facebook page Tuesday.
“When they paid, they all used separate cards and the transactions when through,” she said. “My employee told them to pull their car up so she could help them load, but they refused, and she noticed them going in different directions.”
When Victoria tried to find out where the party was and the name of the event planning company, the suspects rushed out of the door without answering, she said.
A short time later, a woman called the store yelling that her card was charged without her authorization.
Now the mayor is asking residents and visitors to converge on White Star Liquor store to restock the bar, stuff the fridge with good beers or try a new cocktail concoction in an effort to “show some Ventnor kindness” by shopping at the store to make up for the loss the shop experienced Monday evening.
“This weekend, let’s return a little balance to the universe in Ventnor by joining a flash mob-style kindness convergence at White Star,” Kriebel posted on his Facebook page.
Kriebel said the store under new ownership has become a community hub, offering tastings and inviting shoppers to open-house style community events.
“While karma and the VCPD will handle those who’ve stole and misused credit cards, let’s focus on the positive and show some Ventnor kindness in a small gesture by shopping there,” he said.
Ventnor Police Chief Joe Fussner said the department is investigating the crime as the fraudulent use of stolen credit cards.
“The cards belonged to a woman in New York, who called the store," he said. "Both victims reported it to our department at around 9:40 p.m.”
Patrolman Kevin Miranda conducted the initial investigation, which was turned over to detectives for further investigation.
“We are reviewing surveillance video from the store and circulating it to other departments in the area to determine who the suspects are,” Fussner said. “We also want to know if this is an isolated incident or if it is part of a larger scheme.”
Police are also trying to determine when and where the New York woman’s credit cards were stolen, he said.
There was no violence reported during the incident.
Fussner said anyone with information about the incident should call Detective Sgt. Kevin Brady at 609-822-2101.
Victoria advised other store owners to develop their own strong credit card usage policies to prevent scams and fraud.
“We were caught off guard last night, and it was a very costly lesson to learn,” she said.
Ventnor Mayor Tim Kriebel hoists a brew with friends at the opening of Nucky's at Ventnor Square Theater.
