UPDATE: A man caught on surveillance video taking artwork from Whistle Buoy Brewing has returned the item after video posted on social media went viral in Victoria.
On Wednesday, the company posted a video on their Instagram showcasing a group of men helping themselves to more than just drinks at their location on Saturday.
The group of four men visited the brewery on February 19th for approximately 30 minutes, with their visit captured on video surveillance right above their table.
The group can be seen laughing and looking around. One man in a black jacket reaches up above his head to take a custom handmade piece of art off the wall before shoving it under his jacket.
Moments later, he lifts his jacket and shirt to reveal he had also stolen the accessibility mirror from the brewery’s washroom.
Whistle Buoy Brewing posted an update later in the day saying the man seen in the video had contacted them and returned the piece of artwork.
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Whistle Buoy Brewing is asking the public’s help in identifying a group of men who stole several items from their business over the weekend.
On Wednesday, Whistle Buoy Brewing took to their Instagram page with a video showcasing the crew that helped themselves to more than just drinks at their location on Saturday.
According to the post, the group of four men visited the brewery on February 19th for approximately 30 minutes, with their visit captured on video surveillance right above their table.
Warning: Video contains explicit language.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaU8n0QJnge/
In the surveillance footage, the group can be seen laughing and looking around. One man in a black jacket reaches up above his head to take a custom handmade piece of art off the wall before shoving it under his jacket.
Moments later, he lifts his jacket and shirt to reveal he had also stolen the accessibility mirror from the brewery’s washroom.
As they leave, the crew cleans the table of the glassware, taking it with them.
“As most small businesses have experienced over the past two years, it has been an absolute grind to keep adapting, pushing forward, and staying positive so we can continue to offer the best experience possible to our guests,” Whistle Buoy Brewing wrote on the Instagram post.
“We have put a huge amount of attention, effort and money into making our space beautiful and interesting for all to enjoy. From the soap in the bathroom, the ever changing playlists, to the art on the walls, it’s the little details that go a long way.”
“This piece of art was hand made by our dear friends @dobellsignco the very talented traditional sign writers. It was their gift to us to celebrate our opening and commemorate our friendship. We do not know it’s value, but it stood for the things we value, celebrating arts, culture and community, and we proudly put it on display for all to enjoy. Seeing the empty space on the wall where it’s meant to be mounted feels like a slap in the face and it deeply saddens us.”
Now, Whistles Buoy Brewing is working with the police to help identify the group of men. They ask anyone who may know the men personally to help identify them as well.
According to the brewery, the post will be deleted and the police will stop their investigation if the art is returned.
“We gave these guys two separate opportunities to come forward without showing their faces, but we didn’t hear anything, so this is our next step.”
