COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A Clintonville store’s security cameras captured someone pouring cooking grease on the front door in the middle of the night and rubbing it into the handles.
Eclectiques Antique Mall is on North High Street and features more than 65 local vintage vendors. All sorts of treasures can be found at the store.
Jeffrey Mayo, Eclectiques Antique Mall’s social media manager, said the same incident involving cooking grease happened three times so far this year.
“They dumped it all down the door and then actually rubbed it in on the handles too, just to add insult to injury, seemingly,” Mayo said.
The first occurrence was on January 14 between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning.
“It was really cold, and it froze to the door actually,” Mayo said.
The second time it happened was February 26 between 2:00 and 3:00 in the morning. Most recently, someone poured cooking grease on the door on May 29 just after 1:00 a.m.
“The first time was weird, and we were kind of like woah what a strange happenstance, and then the second time was kind of like saddening, and then the third time kind of made me mad,” Mayo said. “I’m just like, why? It feels really pointed and personal.”
Mayo said they do not know who is responsible, but they believe it’s someone in the community who likely lives nearby.
“So many people reached out with support and were appalled that anyone would treat our business like this, because like I said. Everyone seems to have pretty positive interactions with this place.” Mayo said.
He said they are now hoping to get more information. They’re looking for camera footage from nearby businesses or homes that was captured at about the times of the incidents.
“If you see or know anything, please just help us out,” he said. “We don’t want to get anyone in trouble. We don’t want to exact any kind of revenge. We just want it to stop so we can do what we do.”
He has this message for the slick suspect.
“I hope you stop pouring grease on our door,” Mayo said.