Thieves hit museum barn; materials, tools stolen

WASILLA — Plans for renovating the barn at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry hit a major speed bump when $5,500 in tools and electrical supplies were stolen from its property.

Sherry Jackson, the executive director of the museum, said the break-in occurred Aug. 30. She showed up at work the next day to notice a missing petty-cash box from her office.

“Whoever broke in took a ladder from the shop to get up to the second level where the administrative offices are,” Jackson said. “There was under $200 in the box.”

Later in the week, the staff noticed the missing materials and tools. The museum is currently renovating the barn on its property to display farm equipment downstairs and house a hayloft for community events upstairs.

“We had $3,000 worth of electrical supplies that we purchased with a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation,” Jackson said. “One of the board members had his tool trailer out back with approximately $2,500 worth of tools inside.”

Both were cleaned out, she said.

As to how the robbers entered, Jackson said a padlock on the side gate was cut. The barn was an unlocked job site, and the lock on the trailer was cut as well. There were no signs of forced entry into the administrative building, she said.

“Either they had a key to get in, or one of the side doors wasn’t all the way latched. We have those fire safety doors, and I’ve had problems with one of them in the past,” Jackson said.

She said she first reported the matter to the Wasilla Police Department when she noticed the cash box gone, and then again when she found the tools and supplies missing. The police have not contacted her since, Jackson said.

Jackson said she is hoping community donations will help the restoration plans get underway again, but the robbery will prove to be a major delay.

“This set us back a good year, if not two,” Jackson said.

Some of the big-ticket tools stolen include:

• Mahita compound chop saw

• Mahita 16-penny air nailer

• Paslode air stapler

• DeWalt 18-volt Sawzall

• DeWalt 18-volt hammer drill

• Englow air compressor

• Skill Saw (7.5-inch)

• Mahita 5.5-inch saw

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.