PORTLAND, Ore. — The owner of Pairings Portland Wine Shop & Bar said someone broke into his business around 6:00 a.m., Thursday morning.
Jeffrey Weissler said the burglar stole $150 and wine from his shop on NE 24th and Glisan.
“It's sad,” said Weissler. “There was glass on the floor, there was a rock on the ground, the computer was totally smashed.”
Weissler said the crook also left a stick of butter on the counter with a wooden spoon stuck in it, before going downstairs and making another mess.
“He just pulled stuff off the shelves and there's stuff all on the floor,” said Weissler. “He was clearly just rummaging for something gold and shiny.”
The gold and shiny object turned out to be an urn, containing Weissler’s mother’s ashes. It had been punctured with a screw driver, causing some of the ashes to spill onto the floor.
“I was so freaking angry,” said Weissler. “I have a brother and a sister and we were going to do something with it. Now I don't know what to do.”
After hitting the wine shop, Weissler said the burglar went across the street to 24th and Meatballs. Judging from the scene and surveillance video, he believes he used a wine bottle to shatter the glass door. Once inside the restaurant, he appeared to steal a can of soda and a cookie.
“I don't think there was any chance he was in a proper state of mind,” said Weissler.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Portland Police non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.