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Three break-ins are under investigation

By Carey Phillips
The Sylva Police Department is investigating three break-ins that occurred over the weekend.

Two of the incidents may be related to five break-ins that occurred here in February, said Chief Jeff Jamison.

The related incidents were reported at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Sylva Women's Clinic and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce office, both on Central Street. The Women's Clinic was last known secure at 5 p.m. last Thursday, while the Chamber of Commerce office was last known secure at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Jamison said the front door of the Chamber office was pried open and $126 was taken from petty cash. He estimated damage to the door at $50.

Nothing was reported missing from the Women's Clinic. A window and an interior door were pried open with damage estimated at $200.

These latest break-ins fit the pattern not only of the five here in February, but also of several incidents across Western North Carolina and into South Carolina and Virginia, Jamison said. The pattern has been to take cash while leaving other items undisturbed. A task force is being established to investigate those incidents, he said.

A third local break-in is not believed related to the other two. Officers responded to an alarm at 5:30 a.m. Sunday at the Amoco Food Shop on Steeple Road at U.S. 23-74. When officers arrived, they found glass broken out from the right side of the door with several cartons of cigarettes strewn around the inside and outside of the building, said Jamison. An undetermined number of cigarette cartons were taken from the businesses. He estimated damage to the door at $200.

Sgt. Tammy Hooper is the investigating officer. Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to call the Police Department at 586-2916.

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