Burglars hit four local businesses

Three downtown businesses, and one across town, were illegally entered early Monday and police say the cases are related.

Someone broke into The Vault, Green Parrot, Zelick’s and Sunset Bowling Lanes. Concerning The Vault, SMPD Commander Kelly Bomersbach said in an email that the report was delayed. “An unknown male used a crowbar to open the back door, entered, ran around and grabbed a cash drawer,” she wrote, citing a recording of the incident. 

The suspect is seen leaving in the passenger seat of a two-tone sedan with chrome rims, “possibly a Chrysler 300 or Nissan Sentra.” She did not say if the driver of the vehicle could be seen, or if it was a male or female at the wheel.

Police were summoned to Green Parrot at 12:22 p.m. Monday and again, there was security camera footage of a suspect using a crowbar to get in around 6 a.m. “Once in the business (the offender) pried open two registers and took the cash trays.” After that, he left through the front door and is seen getting into the passenger vehicle of a car matching the same description.

A crowbar was also used at Zelick’s.

At Sunset Bowling Lanes, Bomersbach said an alarm went off at 6:02 a.m. but was canceled by management. She said the manager told officers that sometime between 11 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday “an unknown person gained entry to the building through an unknown means and then kicked in the office door. Damage was done to the office door as well as a desk where drawers were pried.” However, she said management could find nothing stolen. 

Video of the parking lot “shows a 4-door car with a silver top and maroon bottom entering the parking lot shortly before the alarm call.”

The spree came just weeks after police arrested a homeless man alleged to be the “serial rock thrower” that shattered windows at Cafe on the Square, Sean Patrick’s, Barefoot Custom Outfitters and KZSM Campus Radio.

Zachary McClish, 48, is charged with four counts of criminal mischief and remains in Hays County Jail.