11/06/09 - Gibson County

Gibson Co. School Burglaries
By: Nick Austin
naustin@wbbjtv.com
8:00 p.m.
 
Law enforcement officers in Gibson County need your help to catch whomever is responsible for a rash of burglaries and vandalism at four schools since mid-October.  The crimes all took place anytime from around midnight until three in the morning.  Here is a list of the schools and the dates on which the incidents took place:
 
Rutherford School-October 14
Yorkville School-October 27
Bradford Elementary School-October 29
Dyer School-November 4
 
Entrance was gained at the schools by prying open doors and windows, but no prying tools were found at the scenes.  Among items that were stolen include cash, a digital camera, and prescription drugs.  Two safes and two file cabinets were heavily damaged.  There were no eyewitnesses, but surveillance cameras at the Dyer School did record someone breaking into the school and wandering around inside for an extended period of time.  However, the person's face was partially obscured.  The video was sent to the Regional Organized Crime Information Center in Nashville where it will be enhanced in hopes of identifying the suspect.
 
Gibson County Sheriff Chuck Arnold said there is some other evidence that he hopes will lead to an arrest and he believes the same person may be responsible for all the break-ins.  Also, last Sunday and Monday nights after midnight, two public Coke machines in Rutherford were vandalized and money stolen from them.  It is not know at this time if there is a connection between these crimes and the ones committed at the schools.  County officers and local police are working hard together to catch the culprit.  If you have any information about these crimes, please contact your nearest law enforcement office.