Posted: 9/15/04

More vehicle thefts hit FL businesses

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

More thefts from vehicles and vandalism continue to hit the Forest Lake area, including local businesses, Police Chief Clark Quiring said.

A common target during the recent crime spree has been motels along I-35, the chief said.

Forest Lake police received a dozen complaints from residential properties and businesses where vehicles were entered and personal items stolen.

Five of the reports came from motels.

Four reports were made from AmericInn, 1291 W. Broadway Ave., late last week. In all four reports, vehicles were entered and tools were stolen. In one of the crimes, the loss of tools was set at $1700.

One theft report was made from Country Inn & Suites, 1954 W. Broadway Ave., west of I-35. In one case, a vehicle was entered and a checkbook was stolen.

In a fourth report, a 1999 GMC Suburban belonging to a shoe company representative was entered and a 31 pairs of new boots in boxes were stolen, the chief said. Also taken was an in-dash CD player and 30 CDs.

Other theft reports were scattered throughout the city, prompting the chief to again ask vehicle owners to lock vehicles and remove all valuables from sight. In one report from SW 7th Ave. and 8th St., a Chrysler Concorde was entered and a Compaq laptop computer and a wireless network with total value of $4000 was stolen.

Other reports

In other reports, police in Forest Lake are:

ïInvestigating the theft of two motorized shopping carts valued at $4000 from Cub Foods, 2013 W. Broadway Ave., overnight on Sept. 9.

ïInvestigating the theft of a Pepsi vending machine valued at $2000 from Thurnbeck Steel Fabrication, 23790 Goodview Ave. N. overnight on Sept. 8. An estimated $100 was also lost from the vending machine.

ïInvestigating two more reports of counterfeit money in reports where $20 and $10 bills were passed. Quiring said police are recommending businesses invest in special pens that can be used to mark bills to make sure they are legal tender.

He is also encouraging retailers to check money. ìIf it doesnít look or feel right,î Quiring said.

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