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Burglar steals computers from Gulf Coast Humane Society
No animals harmed in break-in
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A burglar kicked open a door in the Gulf Coast Humane Society building in Fort Myers sometime overnight Sunday and stole a fleet of computers intended for a new low-cost veterinary clinic.
None of the estimated 250 animals in the 60-year-old building were stolen or hurt in the break-in, development director Aimee LaLonde said.
"Before the equipment was even recognized as being gone," she said, staff members "immediately started doing a head-count of animals and making sure everyone was accounted for."
But the Gulf Coast Humane Society is stuck with an estimated $58,000 in loss and damage that insurance won't cover, LaLonde said. An entry gate was thrown off its track, the door was broken and, inside, two computers, three monitors, two medical supply cabinets and a server were stolen.
The computers had just arrived Friday.
A staff member who left the Arcadia Street building in-tact Sunday morning returned about 8:30 on Monday and found the damage, authorities said. Fort Myers police investigators figure the burglar had lugged the computers out the front door and loaded them into a getaway vehicle.
LaLonde said that to fully insure against this type of loss, the non-profit would have had to outfit the aging building with a high-tech security system that it couldn't afford.
Now staff members fear leaving the building in its current state even overnight, she said.
The Gulf Coast Humane Society is hoping donors will swing in and help with the emergency repairs, plus a new security system to protect the animals.
As for the new vet clinic, which will offer low-cost spay and neuter procedures, dental care and vaccines, LaLonde said it has shifted to the back burner as staff members scramble for cash. Its opening, planned in March, could be delayed because of the break-in.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call the Fort Myers Police Department at (239) 334-4155.
If you'd like to donate money or repair materials to the Gulf Coast Humane Society, call (239) 332-0364 or e-mail LaLonde at aimeelalonde@yahoo.com.
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Sure seems like there is a lot of low payoff crime occuring here almost everyday. Those computers can't be worth much on the street...
#1 Posted by daily_reader on February 25, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, this sounds close to an inside job, like a person heard about the arrival of the new computers and took illegal action...
Wonder if the stuff was still in the box???
#2 Posted by Opinionated on February 25, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hoping donors will swing in........
This whole article smells. Who is in charge?
I'll bet the proposed, but declined security system cost less than $58,000.
#3 Posted by volochine on February 26, 2008 at 1:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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