Pueblo business burglarized on same day owner lays her husband to rest
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — A Pueblo business owner’s shop was burglarized on the same day of her husbands funeral.
“Am I angry? I am very angry. I’ve been here 20 years,” said Sophie Ruskin, owner of Angels of Hope.
Angels of Hope is a gift shop in the Midtown Shopping Center in downtown Pueblo.
“To think that they have to break a window to come in and take my merchandise, I’m just like every other little small store,” Ruskin said. “We’re all trying to make a living. And they do something like this, and me, it’s very devastating.”
Ruskin has been offering a little faith to the community for two decades.
“It’s a Catholic store and it carries everything. Pretty much a lot of the things that people want for their Catholic faith. Statues, rosaries, pictures, first communion, confirmation, baptism items, that kind of thing,” said Ruskin.
On Tuesday, July 15, Ruskin was mourning the loss of her husband of more than 60 years, when she got an unexpected call.
“Well, we were at the church burying my husband, and when we had our reception, I was told by my neighbor next door that somebody had thrown a boulder through the window and they just shattered the window, and they had taken my merchandise,” Ruskin said.
The burglars broke into a case, and stole 14 karat gold and sterling silver jewelry.
“Devastated. Completely devastated. Why would you want to do that? I mean, it’s just a little store, 700 square feet. Why would you want to do something like that? They weren’t going to get a million dollars, they weren’t going to get $100,” said Ruskin.
In the same moment Ruskin laid the love of her life to rest, her life’s work was violated.
“We’re supposed to be strong, and it’s just a little hard because we have two things go on. And you love your store, and it’s just all way too much. Let’s put it that way,” Ruskin lamented.
Even though her beloved business was broken into, the people who carried out the crime can’t break her faith.
“It’s just really, really heavy right now. But we’ve got to get to it, and I will. I just need some time,” said Ruskin.
Ruskin says now she just hopes the community will continue to find faith in her store.
“Don’t forget us. And now that we’ve had this terrible thing happen to us, just give us a chance to reboot our inventory, but just come in and shop with us,” said Ruskin.
A police report has been filed, but no suspects have been identified. If you know anything about this burglary, you’re asked to call Pueblo Police.
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