Businesses in several Antrim County communities hit by thieves
By Greg Angel
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4:13 p.m.
Read more: Local
MANCELONA -- Deputies in Antrim County are asking for your help to find whose behind a series of business break-ins.
In the last week and a half, more than half a dozen different businesses have had doors and windows busted as a thief, or thieves, made their way in.
“Somebody about 2:30 a.m. (Friday) picked up a big chunk of cement and threw it through the door,” said Bonnie Richards, owner of Mancelona Sports and Party Shop.
However, at Richards’ shop the person(s) didn’t make it far.
"We have a very good alarm system,” Richards said. “It makes a lot of noise, lights flash, and it scarred them."
According to the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office, there have been more than half a dozen different business broken into in the last week and half, all spanning from Mancelona to Alden and to Bellaire.
Deputies say in some cases the person(s) have been able to get away with several hundred dollars in cash and other items.
The break-ins appear to be taking place in the early morning hours.
Business owners are already taking precautions.
"We have no cash on hand, we leave lights on,” Richards said of a few of their precautions which include the alarm system and functioning security cameras.
The same goes for the Antrim County Habitat for Humanity ReStore which was broken into in July.
"We no longer keep any money on site,” said Bonnie Robbins, executive director of the ReStore. “We have better security on the doors we leave the lights on at night and I think the police departments have stepped up patrols."
While the sheriff’s office will be keeping up those patrols, they’re asking anyone with any information to contact the Silent Observer Tipline at 231-947-8477.
