Vandals caused $30K in damage to Mattawa motel, say owners

Olivia and Gautam Sharma say the hatred toward them in Mattawa has escalated and they’re worried about their personal safety.

The owners of Valois Motel and Restaurant spoke to The Nugget Tuesday about the increase in crime they’re facing as property and business owners.

The couple, who split their time between Mattawa and Guelph, have sustained thousands of dollars in damages from flooding to vandalism to thefts.

The latest incident took place Monday when they say a suspect broke into the office at Valois Motel and Restaurant and took $900.

The Sharmas said they were going to report that incident to police.

But the most damaging incident took place Thanksgiving Monday when they say someone broke into seven of the 10 waterfront motel rooms and plugged the bathtubs causing more than $30,000 in damages.

“The housekeeper contacted me because there was a leak in one of the waterfront rooms. When we walked down to the front door we saw water coming out from under the door,” Gautam Sharma said.

“Someone had plugged a stopper in the tub and turned the taps on. They did this in seven of the 10 rooms.”

The business owners said they started investing in Mattawa as a hobby and now have more than $10 million invested.

They said they have started to install security cameras to protect their property and in hopes to aid police in finding out who is doing this.

Gautam Sharma said being from Indian and Filipino descent has its challenges.

“Mattawa is a small town. We stand out,” he said, adding slanderous and hateful comments on social media are a common occurrence.

He said words are one thing, but now the level of hatred has escalated.

Gautam Sharma said many business owners, such as Not Clyde’s La Boutique Des Femmes and a realty and insurance office, who are renting his properties have reported glue in their locks.

Olivia Sharma said something has to be done.

The Mattawa detachment of the

Ontario Provincial Police issued a media release asking for the public’s assistance with anyone who may have witnessed any persons in or around Valois Drive Oct. 9 at 1:07 p.m.

OPP stated unknown person or persons entered the property in the early morning hours and caused extensive damage inside.

Someone had plugged a stopper in the tub and turned the taps on. They did this in seven of the 10 rooms.