Police investigate rash of burglaries in Whitefish

Whitefish Police have a few leads in a recent rash of burglaries in Whitefish, but no arrests have been made.

A pair of possibly related thefts occurred at Wisconsin Avenue businesses as a major snow storm hit the Flathead Valley on Sunday night.

Two thieves broke into an ATM at the Alpine Market early Monday morning, making off with a “substantial” amount of cash, according to Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial.

The break-in occurred sometime between 3 and 4 a.m. An assistant manager at the store reported the break-in after finding a front window broken and books strewn across the store.

Possible suspects are described as two white men, one of whom looked to be in his late 20s or early 30s with a slender build. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt or jacket with Knife River Construction on the back of it. The men were driving a smaller sport-utility vehicle.

Dail said Alpine Market has video surveillance, but that the particular ATM inside the store did not.

Another burglary occurred just across the road at a car wash on Wisconsin Avenue. Cash was taken from vending machines sometimes Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Attempted break-ins also were reported at two other businesses last week.

Thieves hit the Classic Car Wash on Spokane Avenue, but couldn’t get past the locks on the vending machines.

The Red Caboose coffee shop downtown also was hit on Dec. 31. Hinges were removed from an office door and about $150 cash was stolen.

Dial said there may be two separate groups attempting the burglaries.

“We’re hoping that we’ll get some information from the public, and we also do have some video from one of the other businesses which may help us identify the suspects,” Dial said.

Dial asked anyone who has information related to the burglaries to call Whitefish Police at 863-2420.