By SUSAN BERG

Staff writer

Hillsboro Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in solving break-ins in the downtown district.

According to police chief Dan Kinning, there have been 14 burglaries in the past month with not much of value being taken but damages are adding up.

The incidents are occurring between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., Kinning said, when unknown individuals are forcibly entering businesses, presumably looking for money.

“They’re after cash,” Kinning said. “It may be someone desperate for drugs (by seeking a means to purchase them).”

The burglaries are similar in nature with the perpetrator(s) forcibly entering businesses but typically walking away with little to show for his/her efforts. Kinning said he wasn’t sure if the burglaries are connected.

The police chief said security had been tightened in the downtown area but manpower is limited.

“We’re adding more surveillance downtown but we only have so many officers available,” he said. “We have a limited budget.”

There are five officers, including Kinning, who work rotating shifts.

In an effort to help business owners thwart future break-ins, Kinning said he is seeking an authority on business burglaries to come to Hillsboro and talk with business owners.

Anyone who has seen anything suspicious is encouraged to contact the police department with the information.

“We’re doing the best we can,” Kinning said.

Recent incidents

Businesses who suffered losses in Nov. 17 incidents were:

• The Lumberyard, 101 N. Ash, $135 in cash was taken and $350 in damages were reported.
• Jost Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, 128 N. Main, nothing was taken but sustained $300 in damages.
• State Farm Insurance, 114 N. Main, nothing was taken but had $100 in damages.
• Bremyer and Wise, 120 N. Main, $10 in cash and no damage reported.

In Friday’s incidents, the following businesses were burglarized:

• Hillsboro True Value Hardware, 125 N. Main, nothing was taken from the store but the perpetrator had removed a hammer from a work truck, parked near the rear entrance and used the hammer to break a window in the store to gain entry.
• The Lumberyard, 101 N. Ash, nothing was taken but there was $550 in damages.
• Trail Lanes Bowling Alley, 121 S. Main, nothing was taken. Burglars gained entry to Jess’s Tresses, nothing was removed from that business. Estimated damages were $340.
• The Clayworks, 115 E. Grand, nothing was taken but a window air conditioner unit was damaged when it was removed from a window.
• Olde Town Restaurant, 126 N. Main, $15 in change was removed and damages were estimated at $100.
• The Cut Above, 111 E. Grand, $60 in cash was stolen and damages were estimated at $100.