HAZEL DELL, WA (KPTV) -
Clark County sheriff's deputies need your help to catch the man who broke into a bowling alley in Hazel Dell.
The man took off with an undisclosed amount of cash early Monday morning after causing thousands of dollars in damage, employees said.
The general manager of Husted's Hazel Dell Lanes, which is located off Highway 99, told FOX 12 that the burglar busted in a side door on two separate occasions. He likely canvassed the bowling alley prior to the burglary, Toni Fantini said.
"It was really creepy to see him walk through our building just like he owned the place," Fantini said.
Surveillance cameras captured the man busting into the business for the first time at about 2:45 a.m. Monday. He kicked his way into an office used for bookkeeping, Fantini said. He left within about eight minutes.
The man returned with a backpack about an hour later, Fantini said. Surveillance video captured him going through the bar and front office. He then pried open a lottery machine and used some tools to cut through an ATM, Fantini said. A newspaper delivery person likely spooked him away, she added.
No one was hurt, Fantini said.
"It was very odd. He went right where he knew some money was. So, apparently he had cased the place a little but not entirely," said Fantini.
Most of the damage left behind has already been repaired, but the ATM will need to be replaced, Fantini said. It is covered by insurance, she added.
Fantini wonders if the burglary at her bowling alley is related to two other break-ins that took place last Friday at two nearby businesses. Those break-ins weren't captured on surveillance video, she said.
"We would like to stop him. I mean the community doesn't need this guy out there," Fantini said. "I'd like to see this guy off the streets."
If you have any information about the suspect or the burglary, you're asked to call the Clark County Sheriff's Office at 360-397-6097.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
