Burglars hit seven Carmel businesses

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - Carmel police are asking for the public's help in looking for the people responsible for burglarizing several businesses.

Police were alerted to the break-ins early Tuesday morning when a worker showed up and found the damage.

Police don't know who the suspects are, but investigators believe whoever is responsible for the crime could be from out of town and didn't know the police department is just a block away from the businesses.

"We believe it was the same group of people that hit them over a short period of time," said Carmel Lt. Jeff Horner.

It's not hard to see the damage burglars caused to several businesses in Carmel early Tuesday morning. Outside one building a board covers up a glass door someone kicked in. Over at another, several doors rest on an inside wall after they were forced open.

"Several of these businesses had items taken and some of them were just broken into with nothing taken," Lt. Horner said.

Investigators said, in all, seven businesses were hit. They said the suspects took electronics and computer equipment.

"We call this the 1016 building. The building right behind us is called the 1010 building," said building tenant Don Whetro.

Whetro runs a construction and home remolding business out of one the buildings hit. He said the suspects tried to break in to their door.

"What we discovered was that every door in the building had marks on it. They tried to put a metal pry bar in between the casing and the door and prop the door open," Whetro said.

Police are not sure who's responsible for the break-ins, but they are hoping surveillance video from this nearby business will help catch who did it. In the meantime, investigators are asking business owners to be vigilant and protect themselves.

"Make sure their external lights are working and make sure their security alarms are working properly. If you have valuable items, don't leave them in view of windows," said Lt. Horner.

"When you think about all your records, all of your accounting information and important information being available to them, it's actually pretty frightening," Whetro said.

Police also said make sure you document all of your equipment. Take pictures of your items and write down the serial numbers and keep them in a separate place. 

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Carmel Police.