Gin Heist Goes Dry: Thief Breaks Into 400-Year-Old Building Only to Run Off With Bottles of ‘Vinegar Water’
England-based spirit producer York Gin is broken into for the first time in five years, leaving the centuries-old building in need of specialized repair. Following the unfortunate incident, the business lightens the mood by sharing a humorous post on Facebook, inviting its fans to visit the “real-life crime scene” now at its storefront. (Photo: York Gin/Facebook)
An intruder targeting a spirit business located inside a historic building in York, England, has been met with an unforeseen twist after attempting to steal bottles of gin displayed in the storefront.
York Gin, housed in the Grade I-listed Sir Thomas Herbert’s House dating back to 1545, fell victim to the burglary just before midnight on Tuesday, according to the Daily Mail. Despite clear warnings displayed on the business’s window cautioning bystanders that the gin bottles were devoid of any actual liquor, the thief reportedly pressed on, ultimately leaving the premises carrying three bottles filled with a blend of water and vinegar.
Adding to the unfortunate situation, Valentine’s Day-themed decor had been installed behind the window display just a day before it was forcefully smashed open.
The incident marked the first security breach for York Gin in five years. Retail manager Jenny O’Hara expressed her dismay at the act of thievery, describing the event as an “act of stupidity.”
“This is the first time our shop has been targeted in five years,” O’Hara informed the Daily Mail. “And hopefully any would-be thieves will stop and take two seconds to read the signs in the future. We certainly don’t love what’s happened. The upset and inconvenience caused by this act of stupidity is amazing.”
“We do make it clear that none of our display bottles in either of our shops contains gin. So the person responsible for this has got away with three bottles of water.”
The 400-year-old Tudor building, owned by the York Conservation Trust, now necessitates specialized restoration due to the break-in, the Daily Mail noted.
“We can only imagine the disappointment of anyone who tasted the vinegar water from the stolen bottles,” O’Hara added in the report. “They’d be expecting some of the world’s best gin — quite a shock!”
In light of the unfortunate incident, York Gin took to social media with a humorous response by playfully inviting imbibers to visit the shop and witness a “real-life crime scene.”
“CALLING ALL TRUE CRIME & GIN FANS,” the booze business wrote on Facebook. “Visit York Gin this Residents Festival weekend for a free Dry January mulled drink and some great offers.?”
“Bonus: You get to visit a real-life CRIME SCENE — where a hapless, gin-competent burglar smashed our windows — and only got away with three display bottles of vinegar water!?”
York Gin has also shared camera footage of the break-in, which appears to show the culprit in the act of grabbing the water-filled gin bottles from the busted storefront.
(Photo: York Gin/Facebook)
Operating out of the historic locale since 2018, York Gin has garnered quite the acclaim, securing multiple accolades in global spirits competitions. In August 2023, the award-winning brand unveiled a month-long campaign to help educate drinkers about one of the most underappreciated yet historically important styles of gin, Old Tom.
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