Three people broke into the Smiling Skull Saloon, 108 W. Union St., Sunday around 4:20 a.m.
According to an Athens Police Department press release, witnesses saw three people enter the bar through the business's skylight from the roof. Several items were taken.
Chris Wolf, owner of the bar, said beer was taken, but he would not specify the amount.
One person was seen entering the bar by lowering him or herself down through the skylight, while a second person assisted. A third person also is involved, but his or her actions could not be specified, said Athens Lt. John Withers.
The suspects will be charged with breaking and entering, which is a felony, Withers said.
The Smiling Skull Saloon's skylight latch and hinges were broken, with an estimated damage of $100, Wolf said.
The bar has no alarm system, so the witnesses played a key role in catching the intruders. Wolf said the witnesses heard bottles being broken and saw people on the roof.
After the break-in, the witnesses were able to see where the suspects went and police located and identified them.
The suspects' identifications cannot yet be released, and Withers said he is unsure when this information will be available as it is being processed by the state crime lab.
Withers said no arrests have been made, but three options are possible for the next step - signing a complaint against the suspects, which would send them to Athens County Municipal Court; sending their case to grand jury or arresting them.
There was one other break-in at the bar about five years ago. The previous break-in also involved the skylights for entry, Wolf said.
We will be re-evaluating our skylight locking system
he said.
The bar did not close because of the break-in. Wolf said it has not closed for any reason for the past 10 years and nothing could keep it closed.
The Smiling Skull Saloon will be hosting a Break-in Bonanza Thursday night to help pay for the skylight. All canned beer will be 25 cents off. 17
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Tracy Fehr
