Eastsound’s most recent rash of burglaries is targeting businesses and ATM machines.
A break-in at The Sunflower Cafe was discovered in the early morning on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The burglars gained entry through the back door of the restaurant and took cash from the register and ATM. The estimated loss was $3,500.
A second break-in was discovered at Vern’s Bayside Restaurant and Lounge. Entry was gained through the side door and security cameras were disabled. The reported loss was $300.
On Sept. 5, Ace Hardware and Islanders Bank were both broken into during the night. Ace Hardware owner Scott Lancaster said the thief came in over the roof and got in through an unlocked window. Tools from the store were used to work on the safe, which was eventually opened. The thief got away with $3500 as well as $500 worth of tools.
“I went from being sick to being pissed,” Lancaster said. “It’s the first time in 18 years that I’ve locked all my windows at night at home. It’s a cliché, but it’s true: you feel violated. All of our employees were in disbelief.”
That same night, an attempt to steal cash from Islanders Bank’s ATM was unsuccessful.
“At Islanders Bank, we spent about half a day processing the scene,” Sheriff Bill Cumming said. “We brought in a very experienced crime scene investigator. We have some possible leads.”
Two days later, on Sept. 7, Island Market was the target. The thief pried open a door, and went after the ATM for an hour, with little success.
Market manager Jason Linnes said $25,000 worth of damage was done to the store. A pallet driver was used to bash in the ATM, and six interior doors were damaged in what appeared to be an attempt to locate security cameras. An image of the suspect – taken from surveillance footage at the market – was released on Sept. 10.
“We feel the recent break-ins are all connected,” Cumming said. “Each and every incident stands by itself, and we have to connect them all. But there are similarities that suggest these may be the work of the same person or persons.”
Cumming advises local businesses to evaluate their security measures. On-site security locks, an alarm system, and surveillance cameras (tucked away from sight) are all good ideas, Cumming said. The sheriff’s department offers free assessments of businesses’ security systems.
“It’s an issue of community safety when we have someone making the commercial community feel vulnerable,” Cumming said. “We want to work with all the merchants. We will do an audit to help, and we also understand that our suggestions may cost money, but it may be money very well spent in terms of getting this stopped. And thwarting anyone in the future who wants to do this.”
Reward for information
In an effort to help the San Juan County Sheriff’s office find those responsible for the break-ins, the Orcas Chamber is announcing the formation of a reward fund. The account “Eastsound Theft Fund has been set up at Islanders Bank, and will accept deposits. The reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for any or all of the commercial burglaries in the Eastsound area. Final disposition of the reward will be decided by the offices of the San Juan County Sheriff, County Prosecutor, and the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce. Contact the San Juan County Sheriff’s office if you can help. Information provided can be handled confidentially.
Thanks to an early commitment by a small group of businesses, the Reward Fund now stands at $1,000.
