Friday, May 30, 1997
Fire may have been set to cover burglary
By TANYA EISERER / Abilene Reporter-News
Burglars may have tried to cover their tracks by setting a
Skinny's convenience store on fire in rural southeast Abilene.
The blaze gutted both the building and the inventory of Skinny's
No. 39, located on Farm-to-Market 18, said Joe Davis, the chain's
owner.
"If we have to replace the entire store, it could cost
$300,000-$400,000," Davis said. "We could wind up with
nothing but the slab. It's bad enough for somebody to break in,
but it takes it to the next level when they start a fire."
Davis said the unidentified burglars yanked the store's front
doors open and broke the locks before starting the fire.
Abilene police officers were dispatched to the store because
of a burglar alarm about 2:30 a.m, said Abilene police Lt. Mark
Moore.
In the meantime, employees of a nearby business noticed a fully
involved blaze inside the store.
"It had a pretty good start before anybody discovered
it," said Abilene Fire Marshal Ed Williams.
Williams said both the police and fire departments are investigating
the case, but neither have any suspects.
"We don't have a whole lot to go on," Williams said.
Moore added that burglars sometimes will attempt to destroy
evidence by starting a fire.
Davis said Skinny's or the insurance company will most likely
offer a reward in a couple days.
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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