The pharmacist at Cambridge Medical Centre Pharmacy says he will continue to offer COVID vaccines after his business was targeted a second time by someone throwing rocks through the front windows of two King Street East businesses.
Zaz Bistro was the other business targeted last week, two hours after the pharmacy was hit by rocks containing anti-vaccine symbols and messages tossed shortly before midnight on Oct. 12.
The pharmacy was hit again around 11 p.m. Tuesday, this time with a larger rock and no anti-vaccine message.
The rock struck about a foot above the hole punched through the double-paned window last week.
Pharmacist Nimmit Vyas says after discovering the damage the next morning, he immediately called Zaz Bistro to see if they’d been targeted again.
Police said Thursday they continue to investigate the incidents separately while trying to determine if they are related.
Vyas says he believes surveillance video from the most recent incident should give police a better picture of who is responsible.
The video shows the sidewalk in front of the pharmacy where a dark figure glides by on a bike pulling a carrier. The suspect slows briefly as they toss a rock, hitting the same window struck a week ago.
Cambridge Medical Pharmacy is the only pharmacy in Preston Towne Centre currently offering the vaccine and Vyas says he’s not about to stop because of the vandalism.
He will keep the signs posted at the front of the pharmacy.
About 20 people were scheduled for first and second shots at the clinic Friday.
“We still have high demand,” Vyas said, adding they’ve started giving third doses to people who qualify.
They’ve also started offering flu shots.
Vyas says since the pharmacy opened last January things have been tough because of the pandemic. They’ve been ineligible to apply for government supports for small business.
But, he says, the community has been supportive of them and he wants to give back by keeping the vaccine clinic going.
Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry stopped by the pharmacy yesterday to offer her support, writing in a Tweet “hate has no place here.”
“Many have struggled through the pandemic. Let’s remember to be kind, support local & stand up to hate.”
Anyone with information about the incidents is encouraged to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.
Last week, we saw 2 businesses vandalized. Again, this week Cambridge Medical Pharmacy was targeted by those who have opinions on vaccines. #Cbridge, this hate has no place here. Many have struggled through the pandemic. Let’s remember to be kind, support local & stand up to hate pic.twitter.com/uiksmjiMwN
— Kathryn McGarry (@Kathryn_McGarry) October 21, 2021
