The Kirmse’s Antiques & Curios store in La Conner was forcefully entered and burglarized over the night of April 3. The suspect broke in during the hours of darkness and took the cash box and a couple high dollar Ivory figures. One figure was an ivory eagle, with a wooden base, the other was a totem that was also ivory. Photos are on the Weekly News website.

USTA Martial Arts was burglarized sometime over the weekend of April 2. The business was not forcefully entered. Cash, a Samsung tablet and a Roomba vacuum were taken.

If anyone has information regarding these burglaries, please call 911 and notify the Sheriff’s Office.

Notice to La Conner business owners: Good outdoor lighting or motion activated lights are a great deterrent to thieves, along with making sure all your windows and doors are well secured when you close up shop. Do not leave cash in your store, even if you think it is safe or hidden. A great additional layer of security is an alarm system or security cameras. Alarm systems can be cost prohibitive at times and need to be installed by a professional, but you can buy really good security cameras online or at your local electronics store for a reasonable price and install them yourself.

These tips can not stop all thefts, but it does make your business a harder target for thieves and gives the investigating deputies a lot more evidence to work with, to help solve your crime.

Watch out for your neighbors. If you see or hear something suspicious, call 911.

Sergeant Jeff Willard

Skagit County Sheriff’s Office

Motors/Training

/La Conner Precinct