$8,000 worth of items stolen from Moses Lake shop

MOSES LAKE — A break-in and burglary at a Moses Lake business has left the business' owners in shock and wondering what to do next.

A suspect reportedly gained entry to Moses Lake Cyclery, 112 E. Third Ave., on either Sunday or Monday morning through a back door at the business by using a crowbar. Dawn Witthuhn, who owns the business with her husband William, says the assailant stole about $8,000 worth of merchandise, including skateboards, scooters, BMX bikes and other items.

Witthuhn said the person also stole and later maxed out a credit card, which was in the store during the burglary. She says the suspect is known to her and her husband, but she declined to identify the person, as police are investigating the incident.

“I am still going to help the community, because that is the kind of person that I am. I love to be with kids. My Christmas is ruined, but their Christmas is also ruined too because of the layaway bikes that were stolen. I have to pay all that back. I don't have money to do that.”

Witthuhn set up a GoFundMe page, www.gofundme.com/moseslakecyclery, to raise funds to help pay for the missing merchandise. She says she has insurance, but it will take up to possibly a month for her insurance company to process everything. Witthuhn says she doesn't want to close the business, which recently moved to its Third Avenue location, but she doesn't know what the future holds.

“I am just devastated,” she said.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.