Gincompetent burglar smashes into gin shop – steals bottles of vinegar water

Hi from York.,

Our lovely 450-year-old gin shop has been broken into – and the (g)incompetent burglar who was expecting to run off with some excellent craft gin only managed to steal three display bottles full of water infused with vinegar.

The man smashed two windows of our Tudor 450-year-old York Gin Shop in Sir Thomas Herbert’s House on Pavement in the centre of York on the night of Tuesday 23 January to steal what he thought were bottles of York Gin.

This is despite obvious warning signs in the window informing passers-by that the bottles contain no gin. In fact, all the shop’s display bottles only contain water and vinegar.

The police have released a video showing the crime taking place. See the video on the local news report here:

https://yorkmix.com/watch-thiefs-smash-and-grab-at-historic-home-of-york-gin/

York Gin shop manager Jenny O’Hara said:

“This is the first time our shop has been targeted in five years. And hopefully any would-be thieves will stop and take two seconds to read the signs in the future.

“We can only imagine the disappointment of anyone who tasted the vinegar water from the stolen bottles. They’d be expecting some of the world’s best gin – quite a shock!”

“We’re trying to see the funny side but it’s going to cost around £1000 to replace the two windows – fixing a Grade 1 Listed Building doesn’t come cheap.”

North Yorkshire Police have confirmed the latest burglary took place at around 11pm on Tuesday night.

A police statement said: “A man smashed the window of the store and he took three bottles from a display. The bottles actually contained only water.”

Witnesses or anyone with any information are asked to email harl.pattison@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Harl Pattison.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

We’ve coined a new gin pun:

Gincompetent, n.

Inability to do something correctly with particular reference to gin.
Eg A gincompetent burglar broke into the York Gin shop, ignored prominent signs warning that no gin was kept in the shop – and stole three display bottles of water distilled with vinegar.
See Also Gineptitude