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Business and property owner offer reward to catch crook
Posted: Aug 12, 2009 11:36 PM EDT Updated: Aug 12, 2009 11:36 PM EDT

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Albany Police say burglaries are up around the city. One Albany business is still cleaning up the mess left behind from a bold weekend break-in. If you help catch the crooks, you could earn some cash.

A landlord and business owner have teamed up to offer a reward to help urge people to turn a suspect in. That burglar busted through a window at a real estate company over the weekend and made away with thousands of dollars worth of computers with vital and sensitive information.

Sunday there was a boarded up window at Durham and Associates on Dawson Road after someone made their way through. They stole computers, monitors and printers. An employee discovered the break-in Saturday morning.

In 20-plus years, the building has never been broken into. But in a matter of five days, there have been three break-ins at the executive plaza and it doesn't feel good to one of the victims.

"Totally violated. It's just a total violation and the first thing that goes through your mind is the sensitive and vital information and data from the business that could possibly fall into the wrong hands," said Joe Durham, Sr.

"It's probably the same person and we will catch them. As a matter of fact, Mr. Durham and I have decided to post a $5,000 reward for information that will lead to arrest and conviction of those involved," said property owner Sam Shugart.

"We do have burglaries of businesses as well as residential but burglaries as a whole is a problem," said Investigator Kawaski Barnes with Albany Police.

The theft and cleanup is costing the business more than $10,000. They were finally able to replace that expensive window Wednesday and they're taking more steps to prevent any future break-ins.

They plan to trim shrubbery around the building. Police say trees and bushes give criminals the cover they need to get their illegal job done. They also recommend of course having an alarm and a video surveillance system if business owners can afford it. Also keep a record of the serial numbers on your items.

If you have information that could help police, call Crime Stoppers at 229-436-TIPS.