When Tami Lindahl, owner of Club 50 Fitness arrived at her store, her first impression was that she had a serious leak. “I was standing in ankle deep water looking at the holes in the wall and ceiling thinking the water pipe burst!” Further examination of the scene led to something more alarming. In what appeared to be a pre-meditated burglary, the suspects cut the locks from the ladder that provides roof access to the building, and proceeded to burrow into the ceiling with an electric saw. Upon gaining entry, they went into a changing room and began sawing through the wall in an attempt to access the Cig Shop located next door. It was at that time when their cutting tools effectively cut through a water pipe, which promptly flooded the building and sent the burglars running.
While nothing was reported stolen, the price tag of the incident is soaring. The water damage was spread through four stores, with each reporting inventory damage in addition to the water damage. “I just had my grand opening two weeks ago. We were so happy to finally be up and running and now this” said Lindahl.
The business owners affected said that there were no signs that a burglary was about to take place and Sheriff’s Department officials commented that currently, this odd type of breaking and entering is not part of any patterns in the area. Most of the affected shops were able to open a few hours later than normal, however Lindahl expects to be open by Wednesday.