ADAMS – Authorities are investigating the burglary of an office at Southland Public Schools and the theft of over $2,600 in checks, cash and coins.

Wednesday, April 25, 2001

ADAMS – Authorities are investigating the burglary of an office at Southland Public Schools and the theft of over $2,600 in checks, cash and coins.

According to a Mower County Sheriff’s Department report, the burglary was discovered Monday morning, when employees returned to work.

It is believed to have occurred over the previous weekend.

Entrance was apparently gained through a window left open on the second story and a screen that was cut.

The thieves scaled a hallway control gate and entered an office, where they took keys from a desk and opened locked file cabinets.

The receives included monies collected by Southland sixth grade students for a field trip, plus other receipts from school events.

Fingerprints have been taken, according to the Sheriff’s Department report, and the Adams Police Department is assisting in the investigation.

Stolen vehicle recovered

ADAMS – A misunderstanding between two juveniles resulted in a stolen motor vehicle report filed with the Mower County Sheriff’s Department.

A pickup truck driven to Southland Public Schools Tuesday by a male student was loaned to a female friend.

When the time expired for the friend to return the pickup truck, the male student notified authorities and reported it stolen.

The vehicle was recovered undamaged in Austin, where the female juvenile had driven it.

Lock-down status imposed

Stacey Benjamin Cotter, 24, was placed in lock-down status in the Mower County Jail early Tuesday.

According to a Mower County Sheriff’s Department report, Cotter caused a disturbance in his cell near 1 a.m. Tuesday with loud and abusive behavior.

He was initially maced when he refused to leave his cell and then placed in the restraint chair before the lock-down status on the prisoner was imposed.

Cotter remains in the Mower County Jail on $250,000 bond after being charged with two counts of second degree intentional murder in connection with the deaths of his adoptive father, Richard A. Cotter and his father’s female companion, Mary McIntyre. The pair were found dead in the Richard A. Cotter home along 16th Avenue Southwest February 15 after a fire at the residence was reported.