LAKEPORT ? Bruce Beyer found his business, the Kelsey Creek Coffee Company, with the lock spun off, more than $350 missing from the cash register and his children”s collectible silver certificate bills gone Wednesday morning in Lakeport.
The tip jar remained on the counter filled with $18, Beyer said.
“To steal our kids” money, that”s mean,” co-owner Amanda Beyer said. “What a lame wad.”
The coffee shop was one of the last of six businesses that one or more burglars hit between about Saturday and Wednesday, Lt. Brad Rasmussen of the Lakeport Police Department said.
“Unfortunately it happened right near the police department,” Rasmussen said. “We”re doing everything we can to increase patrols in business areas and look for suspicious activity and deter burglars.”
Someone broke into 1st Nails between Saturday night and Monday morning, stole cash and ransacked the business, Rasmussen said. Late Sunday or early Monday a burglar forced entry into Irma”s Salon and ransacked the business. Rasmussen said salon staff doesn”t know whether anything is missing. Monday night or early Tuesday someone attempted to enter Henny”s Shear Delights and All About Me. Tuesday night or Wednesday morning a burglar returned to All About Me, broke in and took cash. The same night, the burglar broke into Kelsey Creek Coffee Company and Pet Country and stole money. Someone also took cash from soda machines at Pet Country and the Anchorage Inn & Suites.
Rasmussen said police think the robberies and attempted robberies are related because of the pattern and evidence. One or more burglars made off with hundreds of dollars, he said.
Police have leads on possible suspects, but Rasmussen couldn”t add details.
Amanda Beyer said her business lost about $500, including lock repair. The Beyers don”t leave money in the store overnight anymore.
“We might pay $1,000 for a security system because we feel violated,” she said.
After the Beyers spoke to police, they called business owners who they”re friends with to warn them about the burglary and about improving locks, they said.
The Kelsey Creek Coffee Company owners and other businesses are considering offering a reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the robberies, Amanda Beyer said.
1st Nails technician Henry Duong said he arrived about 9:30 a.m. Monday to find the back door lock pried open, $100 missing and papers and complimentary candy strewn about the desk where staff keeps money.
Duong said they no longer leave cash overnight and the lock has been fixed.
Rasmussen recommends businesses have two high quality locks, good lighting near doors and alarm systems, he said.
He also said staff should empty the store of cash before closing.
Lakeport police ask that anyone with information call the department at 263-5491.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
