Newspaper racks damaged, stolen

Moses Lake Police ask people to report suspicious activities

MOSES LAKE — More than 20 newspaper racks for three different newspapers were damaged as thieves were stealing quarters.

Newspaper racks are the machines used to sell single copies of newspapers.

Racks for the Columbia Basin Herald, The Spokesman Review and Wenatchee World were reportedly damaged as thieves cut padlocks off or vandalized machines when they couldn't open them.

"These crimes generally occur late at night or early in the morning. If people see anything they need to call it in," said Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Ruffin. "Anybody, especially juveniles, coming in (to a store) with a large amount of change … we would appreciate a call. If anybody sees someone hanging around the machines … we need a call as well."

Most of the racks were entered using bolt cutters. A metal sleeve surrounding the locks are battered open or off of the machine, before the cutters are used, said Columbia Basin Herald Circulation Director Tom Hinde.

"They do more damage getting into the things than what they get from it," said Ruffin.

Hinde said the last Columbia Basin Herald rack hit contained $2 in quarters. He estimates each rack costs up to $70 to repair and replace the lock.

"They are lucky to get $9, $10 or $12 from a rack," Hinde noted.

Ruffin asks the public to call in suspicious activities around newspaper racks, along with any other suspicious type of activity.

"Our staff do not normally use bolt cutters to open our racks," said Columbia Basin Herald Publisher Harlan Beagley. "To see someone with a bolt cutter near a newspaper rack, any newspaper rack, is suspicious in itself."

The Columbia Basin Herald began using a different lock on racks, one much harder to open with bolt cutters, according to Hinde. One of the new locks was on a rack located at Dairy Mart on Broadway Extended, when the thieves took the entire machine July 23 along with one for the Spokesman Review.

It was the second time the same location was targeted.

The machines were found along Road K, said Ruffin. The machines were processed for fingerprints and other evidence. An officer saw them on his way to work and reported it.

Hinde said several readers called the same morning to report seeing the machines.

"It makes me feel good that we have people in Moses Lake who would take time from their busy schedules to call police and help us," Hinde said.

Beagley said he was approached about the idea of a neighborhood block watch by Moses Lake Mayor Ron Covey. If pursued, it would help establish a system for residents to keep track of suspicious activities and help alert police.

"I think it is a great idea. We have carriers regularly reporting wrongdoing to police as they deliver the newspaper," said Beagley. "A block watch system would further help in stopping crime."

Beagley said the Columbia Basin Herald is offering a $100 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for vandalizing and stealing from the racks.

People with information or seeing suspicious activities are asked to call the Moses Lake Police at 9-1-1.