The female shoplifter spent about 15 minutes browsing the exotic shelves of Keswick’s SaNook last Thursday morning — ignoring its friendly owner Sarah Lywood.
SaNook, at 1 Banks Court, takes its name from the Thai word for “fun.” It’s also a lifestyle mantra which means “whatever you do enjoy it”.
Sarah said: “I always greet people and I always speak to people, but she was acting quite strange as she came in and never spoke back. I assumed she was either from overseas, deaf or had earplugs in as she had a beanie on.”
SaNook sells an eclectic range of handmade Fairtrade gifts and accessories sourced from traders in the UK and across the globe.
They include Nepal, Peru, India, Mexico – supporting orphanages, overseas children in need – and also being eco-friendly.
The theft of four rings — which led to a brief pursuit into the town centre before the offender disappeared into the Thursday market crowds — is not a major monetary loss, but for an indie business which inspires “happiness in the present,” it is a sad reflection on society.
Sarah said most thefts involved small Buddhas statues, “which is really terrible,” and to deter would-be thieves, she previously contemplated putting up a sign reading: “Karma is our camera”.
Instead, she is now opting for expensive close circuit TV.
As one customer tells Sarah: “It’s such a lovely shop, there’s so much to look at, it’s such a shame.”
Sarah said: “I like to put trust in people but if they break that, then, ok, fine. But 99 per cent of the population you can trust, it’s that one per cent that ruins it. I feel sorry for her, actually, rather than being sorry for my own losses. She must have a miserable life if that’s how she gains her thrills.”
The offender was aged in her early 20s, around 5ft 5in, with dark hair, a round face, of medium build, and was wearing a dirty red Puffa-style jacket.
