“This will cause a lot of delay in preparing for the Christmas market. » Seven days before the festivities in his town, the blow is hard for Bernard Gauvrit, mayor of Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche (Vendée), and municipal employees.
Gardening equipment and vehicle stolen
And for good reason, on the night of Thursday November 21 to Friday November 22, the technical services workshops, located at 10, rue du Châtenay, in the eponymous area, were the target of a burglary. The thugs “broke a door” to get inside, before using gardening equipment.
Mowers, brushcutters and chainsaws were stolen, as well as a dump truck, loaded “security barriers planned for the Christmas market”, reports the elected official. Personal effects of the agents, which remained in the vehicle, were also taken. The truck, set on fire, was found on a farm, in Ajoncs, in La Roche-sur-Yon.
Damage estimated “between €55,000 and €60,000”
It was the employees, when they started work this Friday, at 8 a.m., who raised the alarm. The site was not equipped with an alarm or surveillance camera. “There was a lot of damage, in addition to the thefts, the entrance gate was smashed,” indicates the city councilor who estimates the total damage “between €55,000 and €60,000”. “A theft of this magnitude is the first time I have experienced this as mayor,” confides the chosen one.
A complaint was filed and an investigation opened by the Achards gendarmerie brigade. In this sense, fingerprints were taken at the scene of the burglary.
Solidarity is essential to prepare for the Christmas market
In the meantime, a solidarity chain has been formed in the municipality to help municipal employees in their various tasks. “Companies lent us chainsaws to cut down trees that fell due to the storm. We also borrowed drills and screwdrivers from individuals to dismantle some chalets, which had blown away in strong gusts of wind. explains Bernard Gauvrit.
To deal with the emergency of the situation, a vehicle was rented and equipment purchased. “The market will hold up well and agents are hard at work so that everything is ready for the opening on Friday, November 29,” reassures the mayor.
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