Break-in at Waterloo escape room described as 'invasive' by staff

An escape room in Waterloo is out cash and electronics after someone broke in on Sunday morning.

An escape room in Waterloo is out cash and electronics after someone broke in on Sunday morning.

According to Waterloo Regional Police, a suspect entered TRAPPED Escape Room Kitchener-Waterloo and stole cash and property around 5:15 a.m. Sunday morning.

The store owner said when she first arrived the front door was unlocked. At first she thought someone had arrived early and opened the shop, but then noticed the mess behind the cash register.

“The person ended up breaking into the lock box, stole the keys. It was a lot,” Melisa Vong, Owner of TRAPPED Escape Room Kitchener-Waterloo said. “A very invasive feeling. I grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo all my life, and this is my home. We only just opened up three months ago.”

Security footage showed the thief was not inside for long and didn’t make it to any of the escape rooms. Vong said they made off with around $400, a few tablets and electronics, and damaged their debit machine. TRAPPED later found some items dumped in a wooded area a few doors down.

“Not the money, but the cash box I found, a couple of the tip jars. Everything is obviously smashed,” John Marzo, Assistant Manager of TRAPPED Escape Room Kitchener-Waterloo.

Vong said they’re working with nearby businesses to try and gather more security footage.