New Paris body shop suffering losses from robbery

NEW PARIS — Police in two counties are now looking for burglars involved in about a half a dozen break-ins. They've stolen everything from tools to office equipment. Police say they use a truck they steal on site to haul everything away. The latest incident happened last week in southern Elkhart County It wasn’t the way Tim Spurlock, the owner of a body shop in New Paris, wanted to end 2009. Last week, thieves broke into his body shop and cleaned him out of all of his tools. “They just took whatever they could,” Spurlock said. “We found the office. It looked like a hurricane had been through it.” The burglars hit the first of two buildings, also stealing a work truck stored inside. “They just go in here and loaded up almost every hand tool, spray guns, sanders – took everything they could get,” Spurlock explained. “After they loaded it, they opened the door and drove it next door. Broke into there with the crow bar, tore doors open.” In the paint shop, they took computer equipment, spray guns, more tools, clocks and sanders. “It’s the most sickening feeling you can ever feel,” said Mike Perez, an eight-year employee. “Walking in, seeing that much stuff taken and you’re uncomfortable, you’re paranoid.” The total grab was $54,000 including the truck. “Everyday we’re finding something else that’s missing,” Spurlock said. He says then, to add insult to injury, the thieves took his stolen truck out of the building and then drove it to three other nearby businesses, backed up, and stole tools out of those. Insurance will cover the loss of stolen items, but won’t cover the loss of business while tools are replaced. “Myself, I’m going to be a lot more alert to what’s going on with my place, and fellow businesses in town,” Spurlock said. Police are looking into cases in New Paris, as well as Milford and Leesburg where someone broke in, stole items and then hauled them away in a stolen truck. In a recent case they broke into the Leesburg town hall and loaded up a plow truck with items. But they couldn't get the plow to go up to move, so they left everything.