An Aberdeen shopkeeper has written a heartfelt plea to a thief who robbed her of a rare Swedish watch – one of only two in the city.
Tytti Peltoniemi, who owns Peltoniemi Concept Store, on Chattan Place, wrote an open letter to the criminal who lifted the Triwa Lansen Chrono watch from one of her shelves.
The message – addressed “Dear Thief” – called on the shoplifter to return the watch, which was stolen from the store on Wednesday afternoon.
The message reached more than 100,000 people through social media yesterday in the hopes of coming to the attention of the shoplifter.
Her appeal also drew the attention of the watches’ Stockholm-based manufacturers, Triwa, who immediately offered to replace the £230 item.
Yesterday, Ms Peltoniemi, who is originally from Lavia, Finland, said her colleague, Olivia Blewett was working alone in the shop when she experienced a “busy spell”.
The 37-year-old said: “Somebody decided to take the watch without paying for it. Olivia doesn’t know who it was.
“I have been in Aberdeen for just over six years, and had the shop for five-and-a-half years, and this is the first time to my knowledge that anyone has stolen anything from me.”
Ms Peltoniemi – who is also an interior designer – added: “The watch is rare, there’s is only one other of that exact model in Aberdeen. There is not many stockist at all in the UK, we’re the most northern one for sure.
“We’re the only stockist in Aberdeen, it is a niche design brand from Sweden so it hasn’t got any street value to sell it.
“Triwa will send us a watch, free of charge, but everyone wants the thief to return the watch – and I have said if it does I will auction it for charity.”
She said the theft had been reported to the police, but has promised to “forgive” the individual if the item is returned.
She said: “We’re hoping he or she will change their mind and do the right thing and return the watch. 100,000 people can change his mind.
“I have to believe in the best of people. It’s not always easy to do the right thing.”
Last night police said they were aware of the incident and that no charges had been brought against anyone yet.
A spokesman said: “We’ve been in touch with the shop and have got a complaint of theft by shoplifting that we’re looking at at the moment.”