Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

City responds to burglary, attempted break-in at library


DELANO, MN – The city of Delano has made changes to the local Great River Regional Library building, and  is soliciting bids for a security system for the facility following a burglary and attempted break-in there.

According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to the library, 160 Railroad Ave. E, in the morning of June 20 on report of a theft.

An employee reported that items had been disturbed and about $287 in cash was missing, along with two keys for interior doors.

Officers with the major crime investigation unit responded to process the scene. No indication of forced entry was observed, according to the sheriff’s office.

A separate incident was reported at 1:04 p.m. Wednesday.

The deputy reported he was advised someone had attempted to gain entry to the building by going through a roof hatch, and damaged the hatch in the process.

It did not appear entry was made.

“Both of them were different types of incidents,” City Administrator Phil Kern said Thursday. “During neither of them do we believe any doors or locks were breached. All the keys are accounted for. Any keys that were taken were simply for interior doors. No one could get into the library using them.”

As a result of the second incident, the roof hatch has been secured and is being repaired, Kern said.

Other changes have also been made to the building, though Kern declined to elaborate.

“I don’t want to tell any would-be robbers what those are,” Kern said. “We’re getting quotes on adding a security system to the building.”

Those quotes will be reviewed by the city council at a future meeting.

Reflecting on the incidents at the library, Kern voiced his frustration.

“It’s unfortunate,” Kern said. “It’s a beautiful community facility, and a lot of volunteer hours go into making it a great facility. Instead of spending money to improve the building, we’re having to spend money to fix things people are breaking, which is disappointing.”

2 responses to “City responds to burglary, attempted break-in at library”

  1. Susan Wolf says:

    This is a travesty and a total violation of what is sacred. Robbing a library where everything is FREE….despicable….may they burn in hell!!

  2. Kelly says:

    Ok burning in hell might be a bit extreme. It’s definitely not a great situation and I hope whoever is responsible is found and held responsible both legally and financially, but I’ll reserve my “burning in hell” wishes for maybe a murder or violent crime…

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