Museum hit by burglar

For the fourth time in a year, the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada has been ripped off by a burglar.

Workers discovered money missing Monday morning upon arriving at work. A donation box and an old parking meter were destroyed in a theft of just under $100 dollars, said Executive Director Suzi Meehan.

"We work hard for every dollar we make and this is really disturbing," she said. "They wrecked the donation box and smashed the parking meter to smithereens.

"The parking meter was from the old days in Carson City. It probably only had $10 to $15 in change."

Nevada Day weekend last year marked the first museum theft. More than $3,000 in donated money was taken that night from the donation box.

The next three robberies were minor in comparison but resulted in a loss of about $500 total.

"It seems like people are just walking in here at their leisure and getting away with money," Meehan said. Museum employees believe the perpetrator got into the building during open hours and waited for everyone to leave.

"It's kind of scary to think that someone would be hiding in here," she said.

Because so many people have off-hours access to the building, located in the 800 block of North Carson Street next to the Hardman House, the possibility exists that those privileges may be connected to the thefts. The building is used for classes and as a group meeting place. Currently, Meehan said, there are 18 keys loaned out.

Meehan added, she believes it is unlikely the building users are involved in the crimes.

In an effort to address the problems, the museum has looked into installing an alarm system or better locks. Because money is tight, Meehan said, the museum is looking to the public for help in procuring an alarm, possibly through a donation.

One telltale sign may help investigators find the perpetrator this time. He or she left a $5 bill and two $1 bills in the donation box. That is the same amount museum employees leave after emptying the box.

Anyone with information about the theft can call the Carson City Sheriff's Department, detectives at 881-2020 ext. 1400.