By PETER KASPARI
Messenger staff writer
Investigators are looking into three different incidents at convenience stores in small towns in Webster County, and speculating that they may be connected.
The incidents have been characterized as attempted burglaries, all reported on April 24, and in one instance the suspects are believed to have stolen property.
Chief Deputy Jim Stubbs, of the Webster County Sheriff's Department, said the only report of something being taken came from Lehigh Gas and Grocery.
"Around 1:45 in the morning, two subjects entered the store and removed some cigarettes and beer," he said. "They were in there for a very short period of time."
Stubbs said the value of the items stolen was not known.
The same day, a Webster County sheriff's deputy on routine patrol noticed a hole in a glass door at the Otho Convenience Store.
"It didn't appear that any entry was gained," Stubbs said, adding that incident was reported around 1 a.m.
The third incident happened at the Badger Fast Stop around 3:15 a.m.
Stubbs said video surveillance showed a Jeep backing up to the front doors and breaking the glass. However, he said nothing was taken from the store.
While Stubbs said there's nothing specific that links the three crimes, he said it's possible the same suspects are responsible for all of them.
"They all happened on the same night, so there's definitely the possibility they're connected," he said. "They could be related based on the time frame."
Stubbs wants anyone who might have seen something to contact the Sheriff's Department.
"If they witnessed anything or saw anything unusual, they need to contact us," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Webster County Sheriff's Department at 573-1410 or Crime Stoppers at 573-1444.
Contact Peter Kaspari at (515) 573-2141 or pkaspari@messengernews.net