Water dispenser burglarized again

Someone burglarized the city of Tucumcari’s bulk-water dispenser for the second time in a month, but the machine remained open for customers.

Gary Cooper of the city’s water department reported the break-in at the dispenser at Third and Main streets on Wednesday morning. The burglary occurred between the morning of Aug. 20 and Wednesday.

According to a report by Tucumcari Police Sgt. Shaun Slate, someone had broken into the northeast corner of the structure, separating the wall from the building about 12 inches and damaging a brick footer.

“Cooper told me the city had put up plywood to cover the previous hole, but the subject had broken through it,” Slate wrote in his report.

Cooper estimated the burglar stole about $100 in quarters from the cash box inside the dispenser. Another officer lifted three fingerprints from the box, and Slate wrote he found a sport-shoe impression at the scene.

The report stated the facility doesn’t have a security camera installed. Slate suggested during the previous break-in that the city install one.

Michael Martinez, superintendent of the city’s water department, said Friday the dispenser remained operational after the burglary Wednesday.

Quay County Crime Stoppers later that day offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects in the break-in. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (575) 461-3507. All callers may remain anonymous.

The previous burglary at the dispenser occurred July 22 and knocked out service there for almost 36 hours until repairs were made.