When Liz Waller opened up her shop, On The Square, on Sunday, December 5, she and her husband Nelson Broyal noticed that a few things were amiss. Liz’s money drawer was found open and empty, and credit receipts were strewn across the floor. Her computer and all its accessories were gone, as well as a tray and a half of jewelry made in Peru.

The store’s alarm was active but didn’t catch the intruder, or intruders, who pried apart the bars on the back window and slipped into the shop sometime during the night of December 4. The intruder had to be small to get in, Liz points out. Evidence found outside the building was collected by the police, along with a list of everything found missing.

“It could be worse,” she says. The intruders could’ve damaged many items in the store instead of just stealing a few things.

Liz noted that theft has dropped for her business since the increase in motorcycle riders visiting the city. Many of the riders who stop in Blanco for food and shopping are police officers, firefighters, or paramedics, which puts a damper on shoplifting. New security equipment has been installed in On The Square to prevent future theft.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Blanco or the big city,” Liz says, “you need to keep your eyes open and pay a little more attention, especially this time of year.”

As also noted by Johnson City Police Chief Randy Holland in last week’s newspaper, it’s best not to leave your stuff around.

If you have any information about the burglary of On The Square, call the Blanco Police Department at 830-833-4375 or City Hall at 830-833-4525. Report suspicious activity to the dispatch at 830-868-7104.