The Liberty County Recreation Department’s administrative office, the Shuman Center and the community gym were targeted by burglars who hit the facilities Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

According to an incident report from the Hinesville Police Department, an HPD officer was dispatched to the LCRD’s main office on Oglethorpe Highway on Wednesday morning to meet with LCRD employee Wesley Crystal.

Crystal said that some time between 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday morning, someone allegedly broke into the office and took the floor safe.

Crystal told the officer he thought someone gained entrance through the back door of the building, which he said he found ajar when he came in to work.

Among the stolen items were $1,358 in cash, seven Visa checks, gas cards, postage stamps, the master keys to the recreation department and the safe.

The following day, HPD officers were dispatched to the LCRD Shuman Center where $513 in cash and checks were missing from the safe and several items had been moved around the
office. According to the police report, someone likely tried to kick in the office door but they were not successful.

Team Hinesville weightlifting coach Jenna Bussard said the police called and told her it appeared that someone entered the gym as well. On Thursday she said the front door lock to the gym has been ripped off and $40 in cash was missing. She said the exercise equipment appeared untouched and nothing else appeared to be missing, but she was still taking inventory. Bussard said the door would require repairs.

The Courier will provide more information about the incidents as it becomes available.