EVANSTON — After three Evanston businesses were burglarized last week, local police said they believe not only are the three crimes related, but that they are likely tied to up to 30 burglaries committed over the past few months statewide.

According to a Facebook post by Uinta County Law Enforcement Services on Friday, Sept. 22, Purple Sage Golf Course, Lincoln Highway Tavern and Keggers were burglarized in the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 18.

“The Evanston Police Department was able to collect some evidence at the scenes,” the post states, “however, they are now asking for the community’s assistance in identifying one of the suspect(s).”

Evanston Police Lt. Ken Pearson said Tuesday that detectives believe the crimes are related because of the time frame and the way the suspect gained entry to each of the businesses.

Evanston Police Chief Jon Kirby confirmed the theory on Thursday, adding that his department is working with several other agencies across the state to solve similar burglaries in Kemmerer, Green River, Rock Springs and Rawlins, among other Wyoming communities. Pearson said similar crimes have also recently been committed in Summit County, Utah.

Pearson said it could be a “traveling group of bandits or bandit” responsible for the crimes.

Kirby said Evanston detectives met with other agencies in Rock Springs last week to share information and evidence in a cooperative effort to solve the crimes.

“There’s somewhere between 27 and 30 burglaries, mostly along Interstate 80,” Kirby said. “I think the sharing of information is going to be real helpful.” 

He said the recent burglaries appear to be similar to break-ins at the VFW and Eagles Club over the summer.

The suspect’s MO was similar in all three Evanston burglaries on Sept. 18, Kirby said.

“There was a window broken at Keggers … windows broken at both the pro shop and getting into the building at the golf course … and a window broken at Lincoln Highway Tavern,” Kirby said.

Alarms didn’t sound during any of the burglaries, Kirby said, though surveillance footage was recorded at Keggers, showing a man entering through the business’s side door, rummaging around and exiting after about 40 seconds.

The suspect was wearing gloves, red high-top sneakers, long white socks, dark shorts and a dark hoodie. Kirby said the man also had something covering his face. Officials have compared the footage to some gathered around the state and Kirby said the description of the suspect here generally matches that of suspects from other crimes.

“They all appear [to show that] the person is not overly tall,” Kirby said, “probably somewhere between 5’4” and 5’8.”

Chief Kirby also said there have been shoeprints left at burglaries that appear to be the same. A getaway driver might have been used in the crimes as well. Kirby said in some of the surveillance footage from other communities, there’s been a dark four-door sedan that’s pulled up to pick up the suspect and drive away.

He said that the statewide burglaries are also similar in that the suspect has targeted similar businesses — bars or liquor stores — and the suspect doesn’t appear to be interested in any valuables except cash. Kirby confirmed that cash was taken from at least two of the three Evanston businesses burglarized last week.

“They’ve taken some ATMs and safes,” Kirby said, “but their focus has been on money.”

Officials are asking for the community’s help to solve these crimes. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers by calling (307) 789-CASH or by sending a text message to (307) 708-CASH. Crime Stoppers issues rewards of up to $1,000 for helpful tips.

Those with information about the crimes can also call the Evanston Police Department at (307) 783-6400 or dispatch after hours at (307) 783-1000.