When Howard and Ruth Haase, owners of Haase Home Supply, went to open their business Wednesday morning, March 27, they noticed someone had been there before them. They also noticed that thousands of dollars worth of Milwaukee power tools were missing from their shelves. 

Gerald Police Chief Jim Helton gave some details of the break in to The Republican. Other facts are being kept confidential in order to not tip the hand of the police. 

Helton says entry was gained to the business, located in the 300 block of S. Bernhardt Ave., by breaking out a window in a rear door. The burglar(s) then entered the store and began selecting items to take. It is believed the burgler(s) were on the premises for more than a few minutes. 

“We are working on a solid lead,” Helton reports.

Fingerprints and DNA evidence was located by the Gerald Police Department and sent to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab for testing. That testing could take several weeks, according to Helton. 

The small, local department is getting assistance from larger agencies in other ways as well. These include specialized computer programs that can reach across the state to help track down the suspect(s).  These programs are too expensive to be cost effective for a small department that may only see a major break-in once every several years, Helton explained. 

The local, four-man department is using every resource it can find to help solve the crime. And Helton is confident the perpetrator will be found. 

It is unusual for a crime of this magnitude to occur in Gerald. He can think of only one other, a theft from a storage unit several months ago, that would be comparable. Helton has served as the chief of police for about a year and a half. 

Anyone who has any information that may help solve the crime, is asked to let the police know. You may call the department’s office phone at 573-764-3424 or call the cell phone, 573-368-8010, to speak with the officer on duty. Callers can remain anonymous.