Burglars targeted a Southside business last week, taking several pieces of handheld and small engine equipment.
Bill Miller, the owner-operator of Grassroots Equipment and Outdoors, said the thieves entered his business on Batesville Boulevard by cutting a hole in the southeast corner of the building. The incident apparently occurred sometime between midnight and 5 a.m. on July 28.
Miller told White River Now’s Gary Bridgman it must’ve taken the thieves more than one trip in and out of the building because of the number of equipment pieces taken. He noted blowers, various kinds of saws, trimmers, pole pruners, lithium batteries, edgers, blades, backpack sprayers, saw kits, and power generators were taken.
According to Miller, the retail loss was well over $50,000. He said he believes the break-in was not the “first rodeo” for the perpetrators, noting he’s become familiar with similar burglaries of businesses like his in other Arkansas cities. He also agreed it was rather bold of a group to burglarize a business in such a busy, high-traffic area.
The burglars also made themselves at home during the incident, Miller told Bridgman. He said they apparently enjoyed honeybuns and Dr Pepper from the business’ breakroom.
DNA, as well as video from nearby businesses, were submitted into evidence by the sheriff’s department, Miller said.
Miller also noted the stolen equipment was taken to a grassy woodline near the building where the thieves gathered to unbox the various pieces. As he walked through the area, he observed it was full of poison oak and poison ivy.
Miller told Bridgman he smiled at the sight of the poisonous greenery, noting the market for calamine lotion might get a bump from the thieves.
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