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After two break-ins in the past year, Chaseburg Tippy Toe Inn, bar and restaurant owners, Marvin and Linda DeGarmo, are ready to hold someone accountable for the structural damage to the establishment which has occurred with each robbery and the emotional damage each invasion of privacy has placed on her family and employees.

Marvin and Linda DeGarmo are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the thief or thieves involved with the robberies.

“We’re sick of this and we want the slime balls caught before they rob someone else,” DeGarmo said.

The first break-in occurred on May 19, 2007. Entry to the building was gained through the front door of the building, located on State Highway 162 in upper Chaseburg. Once inside they caused $2,800 in damage to the interior and made off with cash and cigarettes.

“They smashed the living crap out of the front door and made a disaster of the inside. They stole the cash, but left the booze,” Linda said.

The second break-in occurred just weeks ago on May 29, 2008. Once again thieves made off with cash and cigarettes, leaving behind the alcohol, but added poker chips to the list of stolen items. This time entry to the building was gained through the kitchen door after the motion lights and bulbs were removed.

According to DeGarmo a Vernon County Sheriff’s Deputy had checked the building at 3:05 a.m. on May 29 and found the doors secure. DeGarmo arrived at the restaurant at 6:15 a.m. narrowing down the time of the robbery to a three-hour time period.

The sheriff’s department is investigating the crimes, and the DeGarmos are hoping the reward money will assist law enforcement with a conviction. DeGarmo also believes the crimes were committed by parties who scoped out the business prior to the break-ins due to certain cash losses, whose location could only be known by someone who had frequented the establishment and knew where the money was placed.

“It’s just so intrusive and frustrating when you are a victim of a robbery. They had to know our routine, No one should have to worry about becoming a victim, but I guess we do. We all should keep a more watchful eye on what’s happening right around us and report any suspicious actions to the sheriff’s department,” DeGarmo said.

For DeGarmo the saddest part is the gall of the thieves to steal the money the entire community has spent time raising for the American Cancer Society. In 2007 the community of Chaseburg raised $45,000 to help battle the devastating disease. The DeGarmos, who lost a child to cancer, hold regular fund-raisers throughout the year and had $400 of the money stolen on May 29 during the robbery.

“I don’t know if insurance will cover our losses this time or not. It’s just so frustrating and scary at the same time. What if one of my employees had forgot something and returned to get it while the robbery was in progress. We don’t know if the thieves had weapons of not, but if they did God only knows what would have happened,” DeGarmo said.

Also on May 29, a lock was broken at Halvorson Garage across the street from the Tippy Toe Inn and someone attempted to break into the park shelter house.

Anyone with leads regarding the string of unlawful behavior in Chaseburg is asked to contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department or call Vernon County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-657-6868 or 637-8477.