Local hospital burglary could be work of 'wet bandits'
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

A burglary at Burke Medical Center could be linked to three others in adjoining counties.

Early Sunday morning, someone walked into the hospital and walked out with the gift shop safe and the contents from another one in the administration office, according to a report filed at the Waynesboro Police Department. The door to the kitchen had also been pried open.

Investigators believe the burglary may be linked to others that were reported over the weekend at Jefferson Hospital, the Medical College of Georgia and University Hospital.

According to Carol McLeod, a writer for The Jefferson Reporter, someone pried open several office doors at Jefferson Hospital in Louisville and tried to break into a safe in the business office.

Bill McBride, chief of MCG Police, confirmed that weekend burglaries took place in three buildings there, as well as at neighboring University Hospital.

The crime was discovered after an employee at MCG's Ambulatory Care Center noticed water leaking through the ceiling and went upstairs to find a plugged, running sink with two empty money bags in it.

"They only stole a hundred bucks, but they caused five thousand dollars worth of damage," Chief McBride said, comparing the burglary to the work of "wet bandits" in the movie Home Alone.

A plugged sink was also left running at University Hospital but not in Waynesboro or in Louisville.

Chief McBride said University Hospital personnel have security footage of a man believed to be involved in the burglary but have not been able to make an identification.

Investigators from Waynesboro and Louisville will be reviewing the tape later this week. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 706-554-8029.