An unknown person(s) broke into the Oxford Public Library shortly before 3 a.m. Friday by removing the covers to a skylight on the roof and climbing down a 30-foot rope.
Nothing was stolen, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s report and Library Director Judy Doublestein, but plenty was left behind.
From the scene, deputies recovered a tan 30-foot, braided rope, two screwdrivers, two pairs of wire cutters, a small wrench type tool, small black baseball bat and black strap, possibly used to carry the rope.
One of the screwdrivers was found on the roof and apparently used to remove the covers to a skylight. A small pile of screws was also found up there. ‘Unfortunately, they were held down with Phillips screws and nothing more,? Doublestein said.
Possible suspect fingerprints were taken off one of the skylight covers, according to the sheriff’s report.
Once the skylight covers were off, the suspect(s) climbed down the rope and into the teen section, according to the sheriff’s report.
But according to Doublestein, ‘They weren’t in the building very long.?
She checked with Guardian Alarm, the library’s security company, and was informed that when the motion detectors were tripped, a loud alarm sounded. ‘A minute later? the alarm on the doors at the southern end of the building, right outside the Rotary Community Room, went off.
‘It would be my assumption that when they dropped through the skylight, they were surprised to hear the motion detectors set off the alarms,? Doublestein speculated. ‘They quickly ran out through the doors. That’s why the rope and screwdriver and everything was left behind.?
‘We’re still trying to recreate it,? she said.
The sheriff’s report stated that Oxford deputies responded to an alarm at the library at 2:58 a.m., but cleared the scene ‘with the building secure.?
Doublestein said the deputies ‘checked the doors and they were all locked.?
‘Everything looked quiet so they left,? she said. ‘The sheriff’s deputies did what they were supposed to do. Everything looked secure.?
Library employees noticed the rope later that morning and reported it.
Doublestein noted that the cable leading to a web camera was found cut, but its footage is not recorded.
However, there are other recording cameras in the building and she said that footage would be reviewed. ‘There’s a possibility they may be on those tapes,? she said.
New security measures have already been taken to ensure no one else enters through the skylights on the roof, according to Doublestein.
‘Now they are held down with tamper-proof screws or bolts,? she said. ‘So, it’s not going to happen again.?
The incident is currently under investigation. Anyone with information about the break-in should call the Oxford substation at (248) 969-3077.