APTOS - The Community Bridges offices in Aptos were broken into early Saturday and more than $35,000 in computers and phones stolen, the nonprofit organization reported Thursday.
Community Bridges oversees nine programs, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which bore the brunt of the theft and Lift Line transportation, which also suffered losses.
The agency's chief executive officer, Sam Storey, said they are increasing security to prevent another loss. He said more than 17 laptop and desktop computers were stolen, possibly during a power outage late Friday.
"It's a disappointment and distraction from the work we do serving the community," he said. "We're moving as swiftly as possible to get our team back up and running and beefing up security. We hope others will take similarly appropriate precautions."
Sheriff's Lt. Fred Plageman said deputies gathered some forensic evidence and met with employees at the agency Thursday to get a more detailed list of missing property. He said there was no obvious point of entry at the three-story building with several entrances.
The thieves left several computers stacked up inside, and had taken some food out of a refrigerator, Plageman said.
The Seacliff area where the office is located is a busy one, but deputies have not noticed any increase in thefts there, he said.
Plageman asked anyone with information on the burglary to call the Investigations Department at 454-2311 or the tip line at 454-2847.