Thieves hit three locations

By Jim Tiffin
Staff Writer

MILAN — Police are investigating cases where a burglar and a serial shoplifter hit three businesses here Tuesday.

The American Legion Post 60, 601 W. U.S. Highway 66 reported an overnight break-in Tuesday morning to Milan Police, Lt. Jerry Stephens, who is also acting chief of police, said.

A person kicked in the door on the west side of the Legion sometime between closing Monday night and when the Legion opened Tuesday, he said.

Two rolls of coins from a cash drawer and money from tip jars were taken.

"The manager is doing an inventory to see how much liquor was stolen," Stephens said, who estimated about 20 bottles of hard liquor was taken as well as the cash.

"As far as I can tell there was only one person," who committed the burglary, Stephens said.

No vandalism or damage was caused to any part of the inside of the Legion.

In an unrelated case, also on Tuesday, an adult male shoplifted a DVD player from the Petro Truck Stop on the south side of exit 79 off Interstate 40.

Minutes later, the same suspect shoplifted a number of DVDs from Love Country Store, on the north side of the interstate, at the same exit.

The suspect is known to be the same person because of identification by employees and pictures from video surveillance, Stephens said.

An automobile license plate number for the male, who is Hispanic and has tattoos all over his arms and neck, shows he is from Las Cruces.

"What he was doing here I don't know, probably passing through," Stephens said.

Milan Police ask anyone who may have information on the suspects or the incidents call Cibola County Crimestoppers at 287-8400 or the Milan police department at 287-4491.

All callers may remain anonymous.

— To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin@blackmesa-isp.net.