Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Chilliwack RCMP were called to the Unsworth Market retail store Sunday morning (Jan. 12) after an attempted break and enter. The suspects damaged the business when they forcibly rammed their vehicle against the outside wall, but did not gain access, according to the store's owner.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Attempted break-in

UPDATE: Chilliwack RCMP confirms ‘significant damage’ at Chilliwack convenience store after attempted break and enter

Jan 13, 2025 | 7:50 AM

UPDATE 11:05 A.M. MONDAY: Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Corporal Teresa Parsons has confirmed to Fraser Valley Today that police are investigating an attempted break-in to the Unsworth Market.

“My understanding is that significant damage was done to the building but no entry was gained and nothing was stolen,” Cpl. Parsons said.

Cpl. Parsons said a similar incident occurred in early December at a liquor store on Tyson Road. No suspects have yet been identified and the file is still under investigation, Cpl. Parsons said.

The vehicle that forcibly rammed into Unsworth Market is believed to be a white four-door Ford F250/F350-type vehicle with a longbox and rear end/tailgate damage.

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CHILLIWACK — The owner of a Chilliwack convenience store says a pickup truck forcibly backed into his retail business during an attempted break and enter over the weekend.

The store owner, who goes by Moe and operates the store with his wife, says the incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning (Jan. 12).

Police were quick to respond to the scene, arriving at the store before the owner could. The suspects were unable to gain access to the building, but the fallout from the incident is extensive.

There is significant damage to the building and several refrigerated coolers inside the building. Multiple beverages and other items were spilled and/or damaged during the attempted commercial burglary. There are multiple sheets of plywood mounted to the south-facing side of the building.

When asked whether he thought the perpetrators might be caught, Moe said, “I have no hope.” He went on to describe the frustration of working 16-hour days as a convenience store owner, knowing the likelihood that someone will be brought to justice and face consequences is minimal.

There is surveillance footage from the attempted break and enter, but due to early morning fog, the license plate of the responsible truck could not be viewed from the store’s CCTV cameras, Moe said.

He hopes to reopen the business Monday morning while he awaits a call from the insurance adjuster. The business was closed Sunday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. when a Fraser Valley Today reporter drove by.