Break-in at Gary storage building brings outrage from council
Gary Police are investigating a break-in at a park department storage building resulting in the theft of a truck, trailer, lawn mowers and other equipment and one member of the Common Council said the crime would not be tolerated.
Councilman Ron Brewer, D-At large, said the break-in appears to have been an inside job. He said he is angered someone would have the nerve to take that equipment needed so much by the city.
“We cannot continue to run the city where people think it is acceptable just to take what they feel like and think they will get away with it,” Brewer said at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting. Police Chief Brian Evans said the break-in at the storage building at 25th Avenue and Chase Street occurred sometime after the department’s Sept. 3 shift ended and the Sept. 4 morning shift started their day. Evans said the building is typically locked with an alarm set.
“It appears someone forgot to activate the alarm,” Evans said.
Whoever broke in stole the truck and attached trailer. The truck and trailer were loaded with park department equipment including a riding lawn mower and an industrial standing lawn mower, along with other tools workers would use to maintain the facilities, he said.
Evans said police have located the vehicle in the city but have not recovered any of the other items. The investigation into the theft is ongoing.
The park department has changed its protocols including adding a doublecheck for the alarm to ensure a similar crime cannot occur in the future, he said.
Brewer said he would be willing to put up the first $200 for a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who committed the crime.
He said the person or persons who committed the crime need to know the city is serious these actions will not be tolerated.
“I think something needs to happen with this,” Brewer said.