WOODFORD COUNTY (25News Now) – Goodfield Police said a suspect has been arrested for a burglary early Sunday in which a 200-pound safe was stolen from The Barn III Dinner Theatre and Event Center.
Goodfield Police announced the arrest of Christopher R. Lutschg, 54, for burglary, theft over $10,000, possession of burglary tools, and criminal trespassing.
Barn III owner, Abby Reel, posted surveillance photos of the suspect on the venue’s Facebook page before police made the arrest.
She said someone broke into the business about 1:30 a.m., using a crowbar to get into the box office, then using the Barn’s own wheel dolly to haul away the safe.
In a release, Goodfield Police said they processed the scene and followed up on various leads that helped them identify the suspect.
Police said Flock cameras helped them find Lutschg in Canton where officers took him into custody.
An undisclosed amount of cash and “other relevant items” were recovered during a search of Lutschg’s truck and home, investigators said.
Reel said the safe contained all of the Barn’s money from the now-completed show called “Elvis Has Left the Building” along with employees’ tip money and cash donations for the upcoming Christmas Light Show.
This is not the first break-in at the Barn. This time, the business had surveillance photos.
Before police announced an arrest had been made, Reel spoke with 25News.
“It’s just really heartbreaking that these kinds of situations happen today, but I think we live in a broken world and we understand that,” Reel said. “And so, we’re going to keep bringing joy and light and love to as many people as possible because that’s what we do best, cash in the cash register or not.”
“I think this barn has weathered many storms over its 51 years, and I don’t doubt that we can weather this one as well,” Reel said.
To donate to the Christmas Light Show, visit www.thebarniii.com/donate.
The Barn III Dinner Theatre and Event Center is located at 1451 Timberline Road in Goodfield.
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