COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Federal authorities are investigating the theft of a significant amount of money from a local Brinks office Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Police said the break-in occurred at the Brinks facility on Essex Avenue sometime between 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, when someone used a blowtorch to gain access to the building.
FBI sources tell NBC 4’s Lauren Diedrich that someone carved an opening in the roof and took rolls of coins that were wrapped in Brinks labels and stored on pallets in the one-story building. Authorities wouldn’t give details on how much money was missing but said that the coins included rolls of Susan B. Anthony dollars.
The FBI is working on the case because some of the money belongs to federally-insured banks, which makes the theft a federal crime. Columbus police and firefighters are also investigating. The Columbus Division of Fire is involved because the blowtorch means of entry set off a small fire that brought engines to the scene.
Authorities will not say if the fire interrupted the thief or thieves or if they were gone when the fire call came in at 11 a.m. However, officials said it took several hours to remove the coins.
Police would not describe the type of security used to protect the building.
But, the theft surprised the lone residential occupant on the block on Essex Avenue where the Brinks building is located. Bobby Lee Jr. said he has watched the trucks come and go for years. “You never would’ve dreamed somebody tried to rob them. I would say it’s like Fort Knox, you would think.”
FBI Special Agent Harry Trombitas would not say how much the burglars got away with, but did say the amount was “significant.” A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to arrests in this case; call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-645-TIPS.
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.
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