Approximately $150 in cash and 14 to16 blank vehicle inspection stickers were stolen some time in the past week from Bartlett’s Auto Sales in Whitefield, according to owner Samuel “Bunks” Bartlett.
Bartlett said he discovered the burglary this afternoon when he was going to write a sticker for a customer. The Sentry fire-proof box he kept the missing cash and stickers in had its faceplate pried or broken off.
It had been a week since he’d last written a sticker, so it may have happened any time since then, Bartlett said. “Whoever it was, knew where my stickers were kept,” he said.
Bartlett has operated a garage in Whitefield since 1985 and other items have gone missing over the years, such as tires and stereos, he said.
“I had a ramp truck out here; they stole the seat right out of it one time,” Bartlett said.
After this incident, Bartlett said he’s planning on improving security. “I’m gonna put up a security camera now… Gonna buy one this weekend,” he said.
Detective Scott Hayden of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the burglary.
