LEBANON, Ore. (KMTR) -- A rash of rooftop burglaries in
Linn County has left four businesses with damage and local police departments looking into connections.
“They came through the HVAC unit on the roof and came down through our lounge area,” said Gary Heintzman, proprietor of Linn Lanes Bowling Alley, one of the businesses that’s been burglarized in Albany in the last three months.
Three of the burglaries happened in Lebanon and one happened in Albany. Each time, the burglar got in to the businesses from the roof and through heating and cooling air ducts in the building.
So far, Albany and Lebanon Police say they have nothing to connect the burglaries together, however, the style is very uncommon and similar in nature.
The first burglary happened around September 22nd, 2011, at the Carino’s Italian Restaurant at the Heritage Mall in Albany. There, the burglar got away with around $2,500 in cash and other certificates.
On October 30th, 2011, a burglar hit the James Gang Pizza restaurant in Lebanon on South Main Street. Inside, the burglar destroyed four Oregon Lottery machines and stole cash from inside.
On December 15th, 2011, a burglar hit the Armando’s Mexican Restaurant on South Main Street.
Finally, the most recent, on December 30th, 2011, a burglar got in to the Linn Lane’s Bowling Alley, damaging the drop ceiling and stealing some items of cash value.
“I guess I would urge anybody with an HVAC system just to be aware of it. I didn't know it was possible to rip into that and go through duct work to get in,” said Heintzman.
Heintzman says he was able to prevent a lot of theft and damage because his office was locked and an alarm system was functioning.
Lebanon Police and Albany Police are still investigating the burglaries.
