Two U.S. 98 Stores Suffer Smash-And-Grab Burglaries

SEBRING - Two businesses, Lorida General Store and Dianne's Seafood and More on U.S. 98 west of Lorida, were the victims of smash-and-grab burglaries Monday morning when their front doors were smashed in and one cash register was stolen.

Highlands County Sheriff's Lt. Kenny Johnson said Monday that sheriff's deputies received the first call at 4:30 a.m. Monday that someone had broken in the door at the Lorida General store, located at 1731 U.S. 98.

"They broke the glass out of the door," said John Dean, who said his son is the store's owner. "We've got plywood on our door now." Someone broke in the doors between 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., when the first burglary was discovered and someone called it in, Johnson said. But that time frame may have been narrowed down.

The theft was caught on the store's video security system at 3:30 a.m., according to the videotape's internal clock.

"They went right for the money," said Dean. "He had a hood over his face or a T-shirt pulled over his head." The thief grabbed the cash drawer and left, Dean said, without taking anything else.

Dean wasn't sure how long it would take to repair the door or how much it would cost.

"They said they can't cut that glass," Dean said. "They have to special order it." The damage to the store door was estimated at about $500, Johnson said.

Sheriff's investigators will examine the video footage for clues.

The break in at the second victim, Dianne's Seafood and More, at 12141 U.S. 98, was discovered at about 8:30 a.m., and a cash register was stolen. It too was found with the front door smashed in.

The damaged cash register was found Monday morning on Twitty Road, about 100 yards south of U.S. 98, Johnson said, but an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.

"They pretty much tore (the cash register) apart," Johnson said.

He estimated their damage at $750 not including the stolen cash.

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact the Highlands County Sheriff's Office at 402-7200.