York Town News
$20,000 stolen from local restaurant in week of local thefts
By Larry Favinger
YORK BEACH - The Lobster Cove Restaurant had a very unwelcome guest last week: a customer or customers who helped themselves to the restaurant's safe and its contents.The York Police Department was called shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, by restaurant staff with a report that the safe and approximately $20,000 in cash and receipts had been stolen from the Lobster Cove's location at 756 York Street on Long Sands Beach.
The safe itself was valued at an additional $250.
Police said entry was gained by forcing a rear door to the building sometime in the hours between late Sunday night, Aug. 13, and early Monday morning, Aug. 14.
As of this week, police said the theft remains under investigation and no additional details were available.
Meanwhile, on a smaller scale, have been several burglaries of parked cars over the last week.
The first report came Tuesday, Aug. 15, when a York woman reported a blunt object, maybe a rock, had been used to smash the rear window of her car parked at the Wiggly Bridge on Route 103.
Two women's purses were taken, the resident's and one belonging to a visitor from Newton, Mass. Items in the purses included two Coach wallets valued at $525, about $50 in cash and a cell phone valued at $150.
There was another report on Wednesday, Aug. 16, from a West Hartford, Conn., woman whose purse was taken from her car while it was parked on Lindsay Road.
Although the purse and most of the contents were later found strewn on the ground in a wooded area near Jefferds' Tavern, the woman's driver's license, two debit cards and $15 in cash remain missing.
Then, on Friday, Aug. 18, a Payne Road man reported the rear window of his GMC Yukon smashed out. This time, however, nothing was taken from the vehicle.
On Saturday, Aug. 19, four vehicles parked by employees of York's Wild Kingdom in a lot reserved for employees were also targeted. Items taken from those vehicles included scores of CDs valued at $1,000, an iPod valued at $400, $40 in loose change, two wallets valued at $50, a makeup case valued at $20 and a visor CD holder valued at $100.
The four vehicles were unlocked.
Also late last week, York woman reported someone had attempted to break into her car while it was parked at Harbor Beach. The attempt was foiled when the car alarm went off.
Police are investigating each of the theft incidents. Anyone with information should contact the York Police Department at 363-4444.
