Burglars target 20 Valley businesses

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is investigating nearly 20 commercial burglaries which have occurred since early May.

"In each instance, forcible entry has been made by prying open a door or window," said Sgt. Tom Mezzetta. "Cash is the primary target for theft. Large items such as computers and other office equipment were left undisturbed."

Burglars have targeted retail stores and businesses such as insurance offices and mortgage companies.

He said most of the burglaries occurred between Friday night and Monday morning.

Molly Lake said she discovered a break-in at Farmers Insurance in Gardnerville on Sunday when she went to clean the office for her mother-in-law, Mary Jane Lake.

"It was really freaky," she said Thursday. "I found the back door open and thought maybe one of the girls left it open."

Lake said all that was missing was a March of Dimes container which contained $20-25 in change.

She contacted sheriff's deputies who told her there had been three break-ins that weekend.

"When I thought I could have walked in on them, my heart dropped," she said.

"The sad part about this is that money from the March of Dimes was taken," she said.

Douglas County Secret Witness is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information about the burglaries.

Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Dennis Slater at 586-7250 or Secret Witness at 782-7463.

Payment will be made in any manner the caller prefers.