NEW HAMPSHIRE COMPUTER STOLEN FROM GAS STATION Dover, Somersworth gas stations burglarized, ATM, cash stolen - Fosters:

Monday, February 5, 2007
Dover, Somersworth gas stations burglarized, ATM, cash stolen

By THOMAS R. KRESSLER Democrat Staff Writer
tkressler@fosters.com

DOVER — Police in Dover and Somersworth are investigating two similar gas station burglaries that occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning, both of which included the cutting of phone lines and theft of surveillance equipment.

In Dover, the Gulf Mini-Mart, located at 171 Silver St., was reported robbed Sunday morning when employees arrived to open the store, police said. The front door had been pried open with an unknown tool, and an undetermined amount of cash had been stolen from multiple cash registers.

Police say the burglar, or most likely burglars, attempted to break open the store's ATM machine but was unsuccessful. Phone lines inside were cut to prevent the alarm from sending a signal to the alarm company and a computer storing surveillance footage was stolen.

The burglary occurred sometime between 8:30 p.m., when the gas station closed Saturday night, and Sunday morning at 7 a.m., police said.

A burglary at the Southside Getty, in Somersworth, occurred during roughly the same time period, police said, and bore some of the same characteristics, including cut phone lines andstolen surveillance equipment. An ATM machine was stolen from the premises, along with cash.

Both gas stations were closed and unoccupied at the time of the burglaries.

"Right now we're investigating this with our detectives and will be collaborating with Somersworth detectives to see what links there may be," said Dover police Lt. Michael Raiche. He said there is a possibility the burglar, or burglars, will hit again.

The burglary at Southside Getty, located at 453 High St., was discovered when employees arrived Sunday morning at around 6:51 a.m., said Somersworth police Capt. Russ Timmons. The business closed at around 10 p.m. Saturday night.

Timmons said there are similarities between the burglaries, but would not discuss specifics regarding surveillance equipment or cut phone lines.

This weekend's burglary at the Gulf Mini-Mart was the second time in three weeks that the store, located near a Spaulding Turnpike northbound on-ramp, has been burglarized. On Jan. 19, police allege 18-year-old Robert C. Corson, of 1118 Lilac Lane used a squeegee to break a window and steal lottery tickets.

Corson was located and arrested later that day after attempting to cash in a winning lottery ticket that was reported stolen.

Police in both communities say there are so far no suspects in connection with this weekend's burglaries.

Anyone with information regarding the burglaries should call Dover police at 742-4646, or Dover Crimeline at 749-6000 to remain anonymous and potentially receive a reward.