Elgin Salvation Army burglarized

Word to aspiring thieves: The Salvation Army does not store red kettles full of money in its facilities overnight.

Elgin police continue to search for suspects who broke into the Salvation Army offices on the 300 block of Douglas Avenue over the weekend, stealing a laptop computer and causing thousands of dollars in damages.

Police said the double-glass doors on the east side of the building were pried open and numerous windows were smashed. Office doors inside the building were also forced open in the burglary that police say happened between 8:15 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.

Salvation Army employees noticed the broken windows and doors when they arrived for church services on Sunday morning, said Major Ken Nicolai of the Elgin Salvation Army.

A fire extinguisher and ornaments from a manger scene outside of the building were used to smash windows.

Nicolai said a laptop computer valued at about $1,000 was taken, while almost $2,000 in damage was caused to office furniture.

No money was kept on the premises, Nicolai said. Collections are deposited every day.

Elgin Deputy Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said no suspects have been caught and the investigation continues.