Blow torch used to burglarize Village
Burglars hit one of the busiest parts of the city sometime Sunday morning, using a blow torch to break into Village Car Wash.
“This is one of the highest traffic areas in town and is no more than 100 feet from a drive-thru window which is open all night,” said McMinnville Police Captain Bryan Denton of the daring break-in.
The burglary of the car wash utility building was discovered Sunday morning just after 6 a.m. An investigation revealed the burglar or burglars apparently used a blow torch to cut open a steel door in the rear of the building, which is attached to the car wash bays. Once inside the steel door, the culprit used the torch to cut open the rear of a bill changer, stealing the cash and change inside. The exact amount of the take has not been revealed. However, it is believed the cash combined with the damage will cost over $1,000.
“It really blows my mind how someone could do that at such a open location,” said owner Joe Anish, who noted the steel door along with the bill changer were total losses. “You can see that area plain as day if you’re coming down Mullican Street.”
Police reported finding charred bills lying near the change machine, suggesting the same torch used to gain entry to the building was used to access the money.
Given the location, police are still wondering how the burglar was able to commit the crime undetected. Lawmen know the break-in happened sometime between 7 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday.
“If they were using a torch, it seems like someone would have seen a glow coming from that area,” Denton said. “The area is such that if a car was coming into the drive-thru lane at Village, they’d almost shine their headlights on that area. And, cars come and go all evening there so whoever did it was taking a great risk of getting caught.”
Police are asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area during the time frame of the crime to contact investigators at 473-3386.