Fromstaff reports

Thursday, April 13, 2000

Two more burglaries in the city of Austin have been reported and police believe they are connected with others.

In both cases, the burglars exhibited "unprofessional" methods of operation.

However, police also said they have no suspects at this time.

The latest burglaries were discovered Wednesday by employees reporting to work at Coca Cola Bottling Company, 1600 1st Ave. NE and Double K Specialty, Inc., 109 4th Street NE.

According to Capt. Brian McAlister of the Austin Police Department, investigators determined thieves gained entrance to the Coca Cola Bottling Company by breaking a window on the southwest side of the building.

Once inside, they ransacked offices and loaded a safe onto the forks of a forklift and left it there.

Then, the thieves attempted to back one truck from the building and failed, but took another truck and drove it from the building.

The truck was later recovered at Double K Specialty, Inc., where thieves gained entrance by breaking a northeast window and making their way through drywall into the store and office area.

There, they took 14 dog training collars, valued at $1,400 and $80 in cash.

McAlister confirmed police speculate the two burglaries discovered Wednesday morning may be connected to others in recent weeks, where safes were the apparent targets of thieves.

"It appears that might be the case," McAlister said, "In each case, the thieves went about their work in a pretty unprofessional manner."

Anyone seeing suspicious activities outside the Coca Cola Bottling Company and Double K Specialty businesses late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning is asked to call 437-9400.