Dress painted by elephants stolen from Ann Arbor eco-friendly boutique
Thieves stole about $1,000 in merchandise from an eco-friendly boutique in downtown Ann Arbor, including a $400 dress painted by Asian elephants.
Catheryn Snyder, who co-owns the Perpetua Boutique on South Fourth Avenue with her husband John, said she discovered the theft this morning. She suffered an injury in an accident Friday and didn't return to her shop until today.
This dress, painted by elephants in Asia, is similar to one stolen from the Perpetua Boutique in downtown Ann Arbor.
Nathan Bomey | AnnArbor.com
Snyder said her sister, a sales associate at the sustainable products store, noticed a few suspicious customers who visited the shop over the weekend and tried on all the now-missing merchandise.
The missing products include a $200 hooded sweatshirt, pajamas, a scarf, another dress, a few T-shirts, flip-flops and earrings.
The dress painted by elephants was made in Asia by the Asian Elephant Art Conservation Project, which sells dresses to retailers throughout the world and uses the profits for conservation efforts.
"These dresses are unique. They’re one of a kind. If anyone sees anyone wearing a elephant dress," Snyder said, her voice trailing off.
The dress has spaghetti straps and green, blue and brown spots.
"It looks almost tie-dyed," Snyder said.
Snyder said her shop is selling a few other dresses painted by elephants, but each dress is "one of a kind."
She said she filed a police report this morning.
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
Killroy
Tue, Nov 30, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.
Until you've had something of value (monetary or emotional) stolen from you, you have no business making negative comments. Theft is in any instanced is bad.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 10:58 p.m.
How could anyone make a negative comment about this? i don't get it. Who cares what the price of the merchandise was. Also who cares what class of people buy it? If is priced at $400 and the owner can sell it at that price they have every right to do that. These might be unique items and desirable and worth paying the price for. I don't know what the reason is for that price. I don't care either. I do know that a merchant running a business in A2, more then likely has every right to do this and no one has any business walking in to anyones store and taking something without paying for it. I hope the culprits are captured or are stupid enough to either wear these in public or attempt so sell them to someone who has read this story. This way they will get caught and hopefully prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That's what matters. People work hard when they are running a small business and no one has any right to walk in and rip them off no matter what it cost to purchase the item. PERIOD.
Loopy
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 5:47 p.m.
A local store was robbed. That's terrible. Yet some in the law-and-order, property rights crowd seem to think it's funny because they don't approve of the objects that were stolen because they find them silly. Whatever.
Audrey
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 4:43 p.m.
Stealing from any small local business is terrible. Garments that are as special as the one's sold at Perpetua are worth the money. I will be keeping my eye out for your special dress and I hope the thief is found. Ann Arbor deserves a specialty boutique like Perpetua and hopefully together we can keep you around.
Saundra
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 4:41 p.m.
This Saturday is Small Business Saturday. Please make it a point to help small businesses make it in this difficult economy. More than half a million people have "liked" Small Business Saturday on Facebook! American Express will be donating $500,000 to Girls Inc. and will continue to donate $1 per like up to $1,000,000! So keep on sharing, support "small" and ask your friends to join the movement! Chin up Cat and John.. what goes around comes around and you're doing good work.
JSnyder
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.
@A2Suzie: Thank you for your kind words. I guess the free publicity is a bit of a silver lining in this situation. And, yes, we will be open Friday from 10 am until 8 pm, keeping our eyes peeled.;) Be sure to take the time to say hello!
A2Susie
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.
So sorry this happened to this local business. I had not heard of your store before, but just visited the website and very much like the items displayed there. I hope others, like me, will visit you now that we know. Best of luck in tracking down the thieves! Will the store be open on Friday?
BobbyJohn
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.
I in no way support the theft of property from any one else. Yet, this store sells things that only the wealthiest of people can afford. $200 for a sweatshirt is obscene to me, as is $400 for a simple sun dress. Again, if the culprit is caught, they should be punished, but perhaps they felt like Robin Hood in this situation. Still, it is a crime and not acceptable. If some Manolo Blahnik's or Tommy Chu's (sp?) disappear, we could assume it is the same thief.
Caitlin
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 3:23 p.m.
The price of fashion is not dictated by the price of the raw materials, cinnabar. Like how one's house is not the price of the wood and steel... Social commentary on the price of clothing aside, I think the real point here is that someone who valued these (well made and unique) articles of clothing stole them from one of our local businesses. Compassion is important.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 3:04 p.m.
"including a $400 dress painted by Asian elephants." I hope they don't try and claim that $400 on there insurance, at least not with that picture attached. Fraud charges come to mind.
Buster W.
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
Some people are despicable.