Burglars Target Home With More Than Stealing In Mind
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Burglars targeted a home in Jefferson County with more than stealing in mind. They left behind more than $225,000 in damages.
Sometime between April 1 and April 10 a home located in the Chatfield Bluffs neighborhood near C470 and Kipling was burglarized while the homeowners were on vacation in Mexico.
Mike Haley, the homeowner, said that vandals broke water pipes and flooded the house.
"We have a great neighborhood, and great neighbors. And it's a shock really, that this happened," said Haley.
The burglars were not interested in stealing any of the property in the home. Jeffco deputies said the suspects appeared interested in causing as much damage to the home as possible.
"This was intentional," said Mark Techmeyer, Spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. "They broke into this home and intentionally caused this damage. And why is the big question that we're trying to find out in this investigation."
The damage consists mostly of water damage at totals $175,000 with another $50,000 in damage to personal property that was in the home.
The photos show drywall that was so saturated the pieces fell off the studs from the weight of the water.
Michelle Butzke, a next-door neighbor who was watching the family's home while they were away, described the disaster as looking like a hurricane had hit.
"We walked in through the garage and it was like something out of a horror movie. The walls were seeping water, and the ceiling was completely gone," said Butzke.
Haley said that restoration crews would need to spend four to six months repairing the damage. In the meantime, the family of four had been staying at an extended-stay hotel.
The Jeffco Sheriff's Office wants help from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area or has any knowledge of the crime to call the Jeffco Sheriff's Tip Line at 303.271.5612 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
