A woman picking mushrooms under a bridge at the North Fork River spotted a safe in the water believed to be missing from Saturday’s burglary at Houston’s MFA Agri-Services.
Houston Police Chief Carloss “Joe” Kirkman said officers traveled Friday to Ozark County near Dora to retrieve it. The safe, which weighs about 160 pounds, was recovered from the river by the water patrol. But it was too heavy to carry up a steep incline.
Kirkman said the safe was cut open and an uncertain amount of cash removed. Checks and computer disks were still remaining in the safe.
The burglary occurred sometime early Saturday when thieves broke a glass door and rolled out the safe. Knives and apparel were also swiped. Before the crime was committed, the burglars created several diversions, including breaking glass doors at Houston Sonic and The Bank of Houston, police said.
The burglary fit the same M.O. of a similar crime wave in Ava, where three suspects stole money, tools and knives from the MFA there. They also gained entry into a local pawn shop and residence, where the homeowner was able to run them off.
A Houston officer who interviewed the suspects Monday afternoon did not believe they were connected to the Houston theft.