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Well Prepared Thieves Get Away With Thousands In Bar Robbery

Rock Rest Lodge Burglary
(credit: Jefferson County Sheriff)

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Jefferson County are searching for three thieves who broke into a restaurant through the roof and then proceeded to steal thousands of dollars.

The crime took place in the early morning hours of Jan. 14 at the Rock Rest Lodge, and officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department said the thieves came well prepared.

"This was a well thought-out, well planned crime," said sheriff's spokesman Mark Techmeyer on Friday.

Police say the three men first used a ladder left by a shed to climb onto the roof of the establishment, located at 16005 Mt. Vernon Road in Golden. The suspects made their way down inside the building at 3:25 a.m. after moving an air conditioning unit.

"Somehow they knew either through HVAC experience or from something about the Rock Rest, knew that when they moved that air conditioning unit over, there was going to be a hole big enough for the three of them to get down into the bar," Techmeyer said.

Rock Rest Lodge Burglary
(credit: Jefferson County Sheriff)

Once inside, the suspects were caught by surveillance cameras but the images show they were partially disguised and wearing gloves.

The three people then meticulously went through the inside of the restaurant and ultimately used a grinder to steal more than $5,000.

"What they carved open was an ATM and an office safe," Techmeyer said. "They also did this at about 3:30 a.m."

Rock Rest Lodge Burglary
(credit: Jefferson County Sheriff)

Police say most burglaries last less than a minute, but this one lasted for an estimated two hours.

Officials said the burglars left the building through a side door and didn't trigger an alarm. Employees reported the crime to police after they went in the building at 8 a.m.

Additional Resources

Officials with the sheriff's department shared the following contact information in relation to the crime in a prepared statement:

Anyone who may have information regarding this crime is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office tip line at 303-271-5612.

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