Published: August 22, 2006 12:12 am         

Emergency Management break-in probed

TERRE HAUTE — Someone broke into the office of Vigo County Emergency Management over the weekend, forcing entry through a rear door.

Sheriff’s deputies were called Monday afternoon to the building at the corner of Fourth and Farrington streets after Emergency Management Director Dr. Dorene Hojnicki called to report the incident.

The office has been closed for inventory purposes since Aug. 1 and the three other employees of Emergency Management have been instructed to work from home in the interim.

Hojnicki, who became the new director of the office in late July, said she is continuing to inventory what items in the building are county property, what needs to be replaced, and what needs to be removed.

According to the police report, the break-in occurred between 2 p.m. Friday and 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Authorities said the back-door jamb appeared to have been broken by the use of a sledgehammer. The burglar also used the same instrument on the inside door, breaking its jamb.

Hojnicki could not tell at the time of the report if anything had been taken. At the scene, Deputy Sean Trevarthan said nothing appeared to be missing, but the investigation will continue.

The amount of damage to the building is estimated at $200. Officers had no suspects or leads.

Anyone with information about the break-in can contact the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department at (812) 462-3226 or (812) 238-STOP.

Deb McKee can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.mckee@tribstar.com.