Auto shop burglaries continue

WASILLA -- The string of business burglaries that began in Wasilla in late October resumed on Sunday when a Wasilla auto shop became victim number seven.

Alaska State Troopers were called at 11:41 a.m. Saturday to investigate a break-in at Auto Body Concepts on Wagon Road at Mile 5 Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.

Business owner Nathan Evans said Tuesday that a neighbor had noticed an open door when the business was closed on Sunday and notified the troopers, who then contacted Evans. Investigators discovered that someone had forced entry into both the office and shop areas of the business between 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Evans said troopers had secured the building and begun their investigation when he arrived on the scene. According to Evans, both the office and shop doors were forced open, doing damage to the door frames.

"They went through every drawer in the office," said Evans, who believed that the burglar or burglars were looking for keys to cars but didn't find them.

As with previous burglaries, the thieves seemed selective in what they took. Although Evans said they stole a Sony digital camera and case from a desk drawer, they left the computer and monitor sitting on top of the desk.

According to a list provided by Evans, missing items include a red Mac top toolbox containing auto mechanic tools, a red Snap-On toolbox that contained sandpaper, nuts and bolts, a Mac paint gun, a Sata spray gun, and a Snap-on tap and die set. No vehicles were stolen.

Worst of all, according to Evans, was the loss of a set of micrometers that had belonged to his grandfather. The instruments, irreplaceable today, were stolen along with their mahogany cases.

Evans, who has been in business at the Wagon Road location since July of this year, estimates the losses to be in excess of $12,000.

Previous burglaries that the troopers believe are all linked include the Oct. 29 break-ins of Pro Auto Service, Custom Truck Center, and Aircraft Composites on the Parks Highway in Wasilla; the Nov. 3 break-in of Stage Three Automotive on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway; the Nov. 4 break-in of Nugget Aviation in the Wolf Lake area; the Nov. 7 break-in of the Shadow Mountain Professional Building on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway; and the Nov. 11 break-in of Steve Norton Enterprises on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

Anyone with information concerning these burglaries is asked to contact Sgt. Dennis Ponder at the Alaska State Troopers Palmer Post, 745-2131, or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333.