Milligan’s usual summertime tranquility was disturbed when the bike house for the men’s and women’s cycling team’s equipment was robbed. Thousands of dollars worth of equipment including bikes, helmets, the majority of the athletes’ backpacks, winter gear and bike transport cases were stolen. At least two of the athletes were affected but nonetheless, the entire team felt the hit.
On Monday, June 24, Cycling Coach Zach Nave discovered that the cycling team bike house was broken into within the last three weeks of the discovery. Nave was out of town during the time of the break-in and was unsure of the exact date and time that the mishap took place.
Brent Nipper, the head of Milligan’s security, shared some information about what actually happened.
The burglar entered through a window in one of the storage rooms, and then pried open a metal door between that room and the bike house storage room.
College officials have remained in contact with the investigator assigned to the case over the summer, but as of yet, no suspect has been identified. A police report has been filed with the Elizabethton Police Department. Nipper says, “Anyone with information about this incident should contact me or the Elizabethton Police Department.”
Security measures have been taken since the incident. Chains have been put on the driveway, new locks have been added and cameras have been installed. Immediate steps were taken after the incident to secure the building. These included boarding up the broken windows and repairing the front door which was damaged in an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry.
Nipper said, “subsequent steps to increase the security of the building have been taken. Including installing new windows, doors, and locks, installing additional security checkpoints, increasing security patrols in the area, installing bollards and chains to limit vehicular access to the driveways to the building, and other measures.”
The incident is still currently under investigation and no suspects have been identified. The college is working with Coach Nave and the insurance company to replace stolen and damaged items as a result of this incident.