Computers, cash and cleaners cleaned out

KINGSTON — Five businesses at George’s Corner, on the corner of Highway 104 and Hansville Road, were burglarized on Friday night.

Coastal Coffee, Fabricare Cleaners, Kingston Crossing Chiropractic, Kingston Mail Center and Pine Cone Gifts were broken into and burglarized between the hours of 6 p.m. Friday and 5:30 a.m Saturday, according to the report from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigative reports indicate burglars entered through Kingston Mail Center by forced entry of the back door. The individuals moved between Fabricare Cleaners and Kingston Mail Center by creating a hole through an adjoining wall of both businesses.

Kaye Coloñ, owner of the Mail Center, said clothes from the dry cleaners were all over her store bathroom.

Dan Lewis, owner of Fabricare Cleaners, said the break-in to his store was strange as the burglars selectively took garments as well as cash. Nearly 40 pieces of clothing were taken, he explained, but what was odd was that the burglars took single items from larger orders.

“The whole thing was very strange,” Lewis said, noting he’s dealt with break-ins before. “They don’t take things out of orders, they take the whole orders.”

Deputy Scott Wilson, the public information officer for the Sheriff’s office, said a major concern with the Fabricare break-in was that local law enforcement officials and firefighters take their uniforms there to be cleaned. It is unclear at present whether any of the uniforms are missing.

Two computers, a laptop, a digital camera and a stereo were taken from Kingston Mail Center. Boxes, styrofoam peanuts and opened mail were all over the floor as well, Colon said. The opened mail makes the crime a federal offense.

Business owners and deputies speculate the hole created in the corner of the mail center is where the burglar tried to gain entry to Pine Cone Gifts. The attempt was unsuccessful as a shelf in the gift store was blocking the wall, said owner Paula Erickson.

She also pointed out that it appeared as though the burglars also tried to get from Kingston Mail Center to her store through the ceiling, as ceiling tiles were moved around.

The burglars eventually broke the lock on the back door of Pine Cone Gifts and took a computer, cash, a helium balloon tank and five cans of soda.

Kingston Crossing Chiropractic was hit the hardest, said business owners Jerry and Simone Webb. Four computers, a stereo and a printer were taken from the newest business on the block.

The doctors who opened up the practice last fall, said they are thankful there wasn’t more damage or vandalism.

“(The burglars) knew what they were doing,” Jerry said, noting they just took electrical equipment and nothing else.

“It’s sad something like this had to happen, but it brought everyone closer together,” he added, noting that customers and other fellow business owners have been supporting each other since the occurrence.

Gail Buchanan, owner of Coastal Coffee, whose cafe is in the shopping complex next door, said the burglars broke through her door and just took cash.

“I was lucky compared to gift store and mail center, she said. “What makes you feel bad is seeing the mess Kaye (Coloñ) had and the gift shop.”

Investigators found a clawhammer in the chiropractic office and shoe prints on foam padding in the mail center that were collected as evidence, Wilson said.

Kitsap County officials are still investigating the crime.

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