Apr 26, 2007 By Christine Haines 2 min read

REDSTONE TWP. – Officials are looking into a break-in that occurred Tuesday night at Redstone Park on New Salem Road. Township Supervisor Ralph Rice said there was a ball game at the field Tuesday night, so the park was occupied until dusk. At 8 a.m. a woman walking at the park called the township to report that the door to the utility building was open.

When Rice arrived, he found that the steel-clad door had been pried open, damaging the door and the frame and numerous items had been taken from the building.

“It wasn’t a lot, but it was valuable stuff we use,” said Gerry Bohatch, one of the township workers.

Other than the bent metal and shattered wood on the door, there was little sign of a break-in, other than empty shelves and wall hooks. The thief was selective, taking the Mountain Dew from the refrigerator but leaving the Diet Pepsi. Rust-Oleum paint was taken, but the mildew-fighting paint was left behind.

Other items taken include weed killer and a sprayer for it, grass seed, two gas cans, a tool box full of tools, shovels, rakes, a wheelbarrow, mason trowels and hammers and sports equipment including a volleyball and horseshoes. A second volleyball was left behind. The air pump for the balls was taken, as were extension cords, a box of toilet paper and paper towels and a push mower.

“They took our garbage bags, too. Six boxes of them,” Bohatch said.

The township stopped storing its riding mower in the utility building after one was stolen in the past, and other measures were taken to secure the building. Rice said more needs to be done.

“We’re going to do something to stop this, cameras or something,” Rice said.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call township officials at 724-246-1910, or contact the Redstone Township police through Fayette County 9-1-1.