The Ely Stage Stop during its move last summer. The building was moved to a new site which was burglarized this week. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

KELSEYVILLE – A museum in the making has been burglarized, according to a county official.

The Ely Stage Stop, moved last summer to its new home on Highway 281 off Highway 29, was hit by burglars early this week, said Kim Clymire, Lake County Public Services director.

Clymire said his department had rented a cargo container to store tools used on the site. The container was padlocked, plywood was stacked against it and a forklift was up against that for an extra measure of security.

The suspects somehow got the forklift moved, cut the lock and stole about $5,000 in tools and gear, Clymire said.

“It's my understanding they also hit a construction site that same night,” said Clymire.

The construction site had a video camera, and Clymire said that provided the Lake County Sheriff's Office with some important evidence in the case.

Clymire called the burglary “a crying shame.”

“We're spending a lot of time and money on the Ely site,” he said.

Clymire said his department will have to purchase new tools to replace those that were stolen.

In addition to the burglary, Clymire has previously noted issues with vandalisms at parks and facilities around the county, as Lake County News has reported.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Pitiful, painful and probably
written by Donna Christopher, August 02, 2008

gonna happen again with the current state of the economy. Just sad to see it happen. There is a bit of reason to this dirty deed doing as opposed to the vandalism - but it still stinks!

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...
written by Shores_of_Kabatin, August 02, 2008

I'm not sure, but it looked like the gate was not locked the last few months?
Not that that would deter someone who knew that the place is usually vacant.

What kind of tools were stolen? I'll wager that there are many folks who would gladly donate/loan some tools and help without storing them on the property. I have faith that if asked, our community would get behind this to help finish this worthy project.

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Sure hope
written by kd006, August 02, 2008

they notify all the pawnshops, 2nd hand dealers and fleamarkets about this. Make the stuff too hot to handle and it may appear along the road someplace.

I would suggest a better grade lock next time,one that can't be cut with bolt cutters or a hacksaw. And parking a forklift, tractor or backhoe does no good those things all have common universal keys to start them last I heard.

Still sad that more county funds were plundered.
:confused:

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It is time?
written by OneFamily, August 02, 2008

After several months of hearing about vandelism in our parks and schools and various properties, lets look at camera's.
I know this is not England, but it seems as if that entire country, roads, parks,subways,buildings etc are all in the eye of a camera. I am not suggesting that we go that far. :roll:
How about some strategically placed cameras on private property, viewing public property. That way we could catch the culprits and give them their just desserts Digital cameras can be programmed to reset and recycle themselves at designated times.
:x I too am tired of wasting our tax money on these self serving individuals.
One possible tip. Who else would have not only keys but the know how to drive the forklift. Start looking at those that were nearest the source of the thefts. :?:

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re: It is time?
written by kd006, August 02, 2008

: Who else would have not only keys but the know how to drive the forklift. Start looking at those that were nearest the source of the thefts. :?:

One, just about anybody who works construction probably has several tractor keys for various makes and models, you can buy them most any hardware store precut and any moron can drive or move a machine. Just look at the occupation of most of the jail crowd- "construction"
:roll:

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There are a couple problems
written by Donna Christopher, August 02, 2008

with cameras, at least for Lucerne. A)they are an item of value and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they too got stolen!! and B)anyone with good aim and a paint ball gun can screw up the lens. Vandalism and thievery are learned behaviors and are symptoms of a deeper problem that our society has. We have more folks in prison per capita than anywhere else - is that working for us?

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community action
written by cale_page, August 03, 2008

this is a crime against the entire community. Lake County , as a whole, needs to rethink its attitude toward people of this kind. somebody knows something. Get involved. Lets at least keep the sanctity of our historical sites in tact.

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\"Lets at least keep
written by Donna Christopher, August 03, 2008

the sanctity of our historical sites in tact." Whose historical sites, the settlers or the natives? Are historical sites sacrosanct only if they are non-native? This building was moved from its historical site. Is that keeping it "in tact"? And "people of this kind" - what kind? People are losing their health care, their jobs and their homes - I'm sorry but historical sites and happy trails aren't at the top of my To Do List Before We Implode.

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your right...as usual
written by cale_page, August 04, 2008

We should consider all the history of the settlers of Lake Couny as a blemish on its native importance. We shouldn't be protecting things that might remind us of that fact. lets just tear down all our museums and historical monuments and tackle the main issues, legalization of drugs or how the supervisors are doing such a bad job. I am probably stupid for thinking that our history is important to our future. I think its great how I can take my daughter around and tell her about how great this county was "back when" and not able to show her the landmarks that I use to know.... Our kids shouldn't be proud of our heritage here, instead should be reminded of what a terrible place it has always been.


OR maybe its not having a past that makes our present so poor. Wether or not it stands on an original site or if its just in pictures history matters. I believe it is our counties history, native and settled, that is going to get us back on a good track for the future. Of course, as always, I could be wrong.

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History is a good
written by Donna Christopher, August 04, 2008

cale_page, if studied it can help us from repeating bad ideas all over again. I hope when you teach your daughter about history, she also gets to learn herstory and theirstory. History is written by the victors. I hope she is also learning about the present and how we have come to this point in our society where vandalism is an after school activity and thievery is an option for making a buck.

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Construction Sites Unattended
written by Ruthie, August 06, 2008

I have experienced three new stick homes built near my residence and on any given day the materials that cost someone some money is left out in the open for any scavenger to take a free sample. I made a point to keep an eye on it and anyone who shows up get a photo taken. It is as if a radar is out there for the bottom feeder to shop after hours.
Sad to read about the Ely project I have followed the move and the progress what a shame we live ina society who think anything ungarded is up for grabs.

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