Break-in and theft at Walker Road business [Video]

Police in Windsor, Ont., are investigating a smash-and-grab theft after a vehicle was driven through the front of a shoe store early Thursday morning.

Just before 6 a.m. Thursday, a vehicle drove through the front of The Running Factory on Walker Road.

Officers said the suspects fled the scene before officers arrived, making off with stolen merchandise.

This incident is the latest in a troubling trend of similar crimes across Windsor and beyond, leaving business owners across Canada grappling with how to protect their stores amid rising concerns over theft.

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), nearly half of all small businesses in Canada reported experiencing crime in 2024. For business owners, these crimes bring financial strain and emotional distress.

“Imagine you’re a business owner, and you can’t even go to bed at night because you’re worried something might happen to your business,” said CFIB representative Julie …