EUGENE, Ore. – The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Eugene became the latest victim of a string of break-ins across Lane County over the weekend. The retail location on Oak Patch Road was broken into on Saturday night, resulting in the theft of a safe containing approximately $3,500 in cash.
According to a police report, the burglary occurred after the store had closed for the night. John Barnum, the store’s executive director, was working alone in his office when he heard a loud noise. Upon investigating, Barnum discovered the front door of the store had been bent and forced open. Upon further inspection, he noticed signs of forced entry at the back door.
“They crossed our area here and went over to our back entry door,” Barnum explained. “Sometime around that time, they started working on this door with a crowbar or something, prying at it both down here and up above where the deadbolt came through. They finally got it open, and there’s a bar on the inside that they actually broke.”
The burglars’ actions caused significant damage to the door and surrounding structure, and they were able to access a safe containing cash. Barnum described the theft as a major setback for the store, which relies on the proceeds from its sales to cover essential operational costs, including rent, insurance, and utility bills.
“It covers things like our electric bills, it covers things like our rent, our insurance,” Barnum said, reflecting on the impact the loss would have on their day-to-day operations.
In response to the break-in, Habitat for Humanity plans to enhance the store’s security by installing motion-detecting cameras. Barnum stressed the importance of these upgrades to ensure the safety of both the store’s assets and its employees.
The break-in at the Eugene ReStore is part of a broader wave of break-ins that have plagued the region in recent days, raising concerns about the safety of local businesses. As authorities continue to investigate, the ReStore staff are left grappling with the financial consequences of the theft while taking steps to prevent future incidents.
This theft is a blow to the nonprofit organization, which uses the proceeds from its ReStore to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building affordable housing for families in need. Despite the setback, Barnum expressed determination to continue the organization’s work, emphasizing the importance of community support during such challenging times.
