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HOW
THE BURGLARS GOT INTO THE GARAGE. Burglary victim June Carruth
stands by the area in the rear of her garage/workshop where one or
more burglars squeezed through the small space they pried open. |
Daring daytime burglars broke into the
home and garage of June Carruth on Sunday morning, January 28, while
she was attending church services.
Carruth made the discovery of the
break-in around noon, after she returned home from church. Carruth
lives about five miles southwest of DeLeon on CR 463.
A heavy television and some jewelry were
taken from her home, where a locked door had been pried open. A .22
cal. rifle was also taken. Other than searching through some closets
and drawers, the burglars did not create much havoc inside the home.
In the building behind the Carruth home,
however, the damage was more severe.
The burglars gained entrance to the
locked garage/workshop by means of prying up some corrugated metal
siding in the rear and then crawling through a small, low opening.
Once inside the garage, they pried open a
locked gate at the entrance. Then tried to hotwire a Ford pickup truck
inside by breaking open the steering wheel column housing around the
ignition switch. Despite the considerable damage to the truck, they
were unsuccessful in their efforts to start it.
A tall, heavy cutting torch gas bottle,
that was chained to a support beam in the garage was apparently slated
for removal. The burglars pried the beam loose and slipped the chain
securing the bottle from its anchor post.
Once again, the burglars caused damage
and were unsuccessful in their thievery, as the bottle was left tipped
over onto a riding lawnmower. A chainsaw and a few tools were taken
from the garage, however.
The burglars may well have been scared
into a fast exit. Their tire tracks showed evidence of rapid
acceleration. And, the jewelry box which was removed from the house,
was dropped and its contents spilled on the ground near the garage.
Deputy Sheriff Jim Fanning responded to
the burglary scene and began the initial investigation. Fingerprints
and shoe prints were obtained.
There is speculation that there were at
least two burglars involved, since the television would be very
difficult for one person to handle.
And, given the timing of the burglary, it
is apparent that the burglars were reasonably familiar with Carruth’s
regularity in church attendance.
The matter remains under investigation,
with Investigator Duane Fuquay assigned for additional forensic
investigation.
If anyone has information about this
burglary, please contact the Sheriff’s Officer or Crime Stoppers.
Crime Stoppers will pay a reward for
information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect. |
