FOX Theater suffers another burglary over $5,000 in

WALSENBURG — Evan Ksander sweeps up shards of broken glass from the front door of 711 S. Main, the scene of the break-in of the Fox Theatre overnight between July 6 and 7th. Photo by Eric Mullens Equipment for outdoor movies taken in July 6-7 theft by E. E.

Mullens [caption id=“attachment_70156” align=“alignleft” width=“222”] Evan Ksander sweeps up shards of broken glass from the front door of 711 S. Main, the scene of the break-in of the Fox Theatre overnight between July 6 and 7th. Photo by Eric Mullens[/ caption] WALSENBURG — The Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation into a break-in and theft reported from Walsenburg’s Fox Theatre on the morning of July 7. Sometime overnight between Wednesday, July 6 and Thursday, July 7 brazen thieves smashed a Main Street glass door of an auxiliary building used by the Fox Theatre, entered, and stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment the non-profit uses for outdoor movie and live entertainment presentations.

Evan Ksander reported in the wake of the most recent theft, that new electronic security measures have been put into place at the theatre itself and its two associated buildings According to Ksander, thieves apparently threw a rock through the recently countypurchased building at 711 S. Main to gain access to back rooms where equipment was stored. Ksander said four large speakers, an electronic sound board, power source and a yellow propane and liquid fuel operated generator were taken. The estimated value of the missing items is over $5,000.

Fox Theatre supporters who spent Thursday morning last week cleaning up shards of glass from the broken door, said the sheriff’s office was notified and came to the scene to begin their investigation This is not the first time the communitysupported theatre has been the victim of thieves. Ksander said earlier this summer, an iPad and laptop computer were stolen out of a vehicle at the theatre while staff were going in and out of the building loading up for an event. Ksander told the World Journal, that over a three day period, Fox supporters located both of the items at Walsenburg’s infamous Main Event business at 213-217 W. Seventh.

Ksander alleged the business owner, John Chadil, sold the stolen items back to Fox staff members, but did not disclose the amount paid. He also alleged Monica Birrer, a long-time supporter of the Huerfano Community Foundation/dba/The Fox, also reportedly paid Chadil $50 to get back items. This information about the prior theft and payments to Chadil was provided to the sheriff’s office, according to theatre supporters at the scene last Thursday morning. The Main Event, and its owner, have been the subject of a number of theft by receiving and possession of stolen property investigations by both the former Walsenburg Police Department and the sheriff’s office.

None of those investigations have led to charges being filed. HCSO Deputy John Quintana is in charge of the investigation and collected a number of items of potential evidence from the scene last week. Evidence was recovered that appeared to show thieves had attempted to break into a door to the theatre located in the alley behind the 700 block of S. Main.

A makeshift pry bar was recovered by Deputy Quintana that appeared to match the damage to the door. Both George and Evan Ksander said the door was not damaged when they left the theatre on Wednesday. Access to the theatre building itself was not gained at this location and it is believed after this unsuccessful attempt, thieves may have found the rock used in the break-in and used it instead on the 711 Main St. glass door.

The stolen items are generally used for the on-location presentation of films and as audio support for other Fox-sponsored live events. Due to an outpouring of concern about the theft shown by Facebook and other social media users, Evan Kasander reported staff received some equipment donations in time to present a outdoor movie last weekend. Anyone with information regarding this theft is urged to contact the Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office at 719-738-1044.