During an eight-day span last month, thieves targeted two Cortez car washes in apparent attempts to steal quarters, squeaky clean.<\/p>\n
According to the Cortez Police Department, an unknown suspect attempted to drill a lock on a coin receptacle at the First Street Car Wash overnight on Saturday, Dec. 12. Damages totaled approximately $700.<\/p>\n
Two days later, police again responded to the scene just before midnight. Because an alert neighbor called after hearing the sound of drilling, a suspect was captured.<\/p>\n
Apprehended on Dec. 14, a male subject was arrested and charged with criminal attempt, burglary, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools, including bolt cutters, a Dremel tool, grinding disks, drill bits, a flashlight, gloves, a wrench and a screwdriver.<\/p>\n
Police said they also discovered a padlock cover removed from a coin machine inside the suspect\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vehicle. Damages from the second burglary attempt were estimated at $800.<\/p>\n
Despite the arrest, thieves continued, this time striking the Aqua Car Wash on Dec. 17. Police reported that two bays were broken into and two drawers of quarters totaling $60 were stolen. A lock on one of the bays was drilled open. Total repairs were estimated at more than $10,000.<\/p>\n
Then on Dec. 21, thieves returned to the First Street Car Wash, drilling out the dead bolt on an office door. Damages were estimated at $200.<\/p>\n