ELSBERRY, MO -
There is plenty of mystery in Elsberry, Missouri, as investigators try to determine who broke into the small town's city hall and ransacked it. Deputies say it appears to have happened over night, but they're not sure when. They haven't found any witnesses.
Lincoln County Detective Shayne Duryea says it was the open of business this morning when trouble was discovered.
"Some of the employees had shown up for work this morning and discovered the building had been broken into," he said. "There was extensive damage throughout the inside of the building."
Detectives say the suspect or suspects went in through a window on the east side of the building. Once inside, they say "ransacked" is a fair way to describe what happened.
The question is whether anything was stolen. The building houses all the towns utility records, court records, and permit information. Quite a bit of cash also moves through with people paying their bills. Investigators say it will be Wednesday before they're done going through everything.
The town's mayor, Carla Potts, was among those standing outside watching as detectives went through the building. She was not allowed inside to survey the damage. She just knew about the place being ripped apart.
"I don't really know anything other than that, she says. "And as you can see, the crime tape is up and no one's going in. So it's just really unfortunate that this happened."
Area residents expressed concern about personal information that may be stored inside, though detectives say they don't think identity theft is a motive. Beyond that, most in town find the whole thing baffling.
"It's just weird," says Margaret Bruemleve who works next door. "I don't know why anybody would want to ransack city hall. I have no clue!"
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office decided late Tuesday morning to remove themselves from the case. They wouldn't comment as to why they made that move.
Lincoln County Detective Shayne Duryea says it was the open of business this morning when trouble was discovered.
"Some of the employees had shown up for work this morning and discovered the building had been broken into," he said. "There was extensive damage throughout the inside of the building."
Detectives say the suspect or suspects went in through a window on the east side of the building. Once inside, they say "ransacked" is a fair way to describe what happened.
The question is whether anything was stolen. The building houses all the towns utility records, court records, and permit information. Quite a bit of cash also moves through with people paying their bills. Investigators say it will be Wednesday before they're done going through everything.
The town's mayor, Carla Potts, was among those standing outside watching as detectives went through the building. She was not allowed inside to survey the damage. She just knew about the place being ripped apart.
"I don't really know anything other than that, she says. "And as you can see, the crime tape is up and no one's going in. So it's just really unfortunate that this happened."
Area residents expressed concern about personal information that may be stored inside, though detectives say they don't think identity theft is a motive. Beyond that, most in town find the whole thing baffling.
"It's just weird," says Margaret Bruemleve who works next door. "I don't know why anybody would want to ransack city hall. I have no clue!"
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office decided late Tuesday morning to remove themselves from the case. They wouldn't comment as to why they made that move.
