Vintage Print + Neon store in Boulevard Building burglarized

More than $1,000 in merchandise and property was stolen from the Vintage Print + Neon store in the historic Boulevard Building Thursday morning.

Owner Chris Bovey, who also co-operates the Garland Theater, said he thinks a customer walked through the building’s basement storage during the daytime and unlocked a back door entrance, which they returned to in the night.

A leather purse, multiple pieces of merchandise and the store’s point of sale system were stolen, Bovey said, estimating that losses could be as high as $1,500.

Spokane police responded to the business’ alarm call at around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, but the intruder had already left. They were recorded on shop surveillance cameras.

Police spokeswoman Tricia Leming said that if the person in the footage is found, they will be arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft in the second degrees. Bovey is skeptical they will be found.

The video showed that the intruder had showed up with multiple shopping bags to fill with items, Bovey said. None of the more expensive neon light fixtures in the attached neon museum were taken, and there was no damage to the building.

While people have stolen signs outside of other businesses Bovey owned, this is the first break-in he has experienced.

“I just want to thank the community for the wishes and thoughts online,” he said, adding that he will work to secure the building better moving forward.