POCATELLO — A burglary that occurred sometime between the evening of Aug. 9 and the morning of Aug. 10, resulted in the loss of more than $6,000 worth of computer and electronic equipment at the Peanut Shell maternity shop at 1128 N. Main St.

    Owner Cathy Mitani said she was notified on Monday morning by her business neighbors, Bannock County Transportation, who informed her that employees had discovered the break-in early that morning.

    “When I arrived, the (Pocatello) police and a detective were already here,” said Mitani, who has owned the establishment for four years. “I saw that the glass had been broken from the back door and that we were missing most of our electronic equipment. I was shocked, surprised and very scared.”

    She added that in all her time here, she never had anything like this happen.

    “I figured because we were a maternity shop — with items that were not really high on the pawn market — we would not be a target.”

    Mitani thinks the theft of computers, printers, a tablet, some Nikon cameras, computer games, a digital photo frame and a cash register (with $125 in cash still inside) was done with an eye to a quick turnaround for some easy cash, because none of the clothing, merchandise or baby items were taken.

   There was also minimal damage, including the glass on the back door and the wall where a big screen 3-D television set is located.

    The intruders attempted to pry the TV from the wall but failed to do so. They did, however, take a pair of 3-D glasses as well as the remote control for the device.

    They also left the keyboard for the computer, but absconded with the monitor, tower and mouse.

    “The police took a list of the stolen items and promised to distribute it to the pawn and hock shops around the area,” Mitani said. “That’s the first place they look in situations like these. There is also a little bit of a silver lining, though, because our computer has a password that no one can get into, but us, so that may help.”

    She added that there are many irreplaceable photographs and other items on the machine.

    The Peanut Shell had no burglar alarm nor any security cameras, but will have them installed soon.

    “They say that these people come back to the same place later after new items are purchased to take the place of the items which were taken,” she said.

    Despite the break-in, Mitani vows to get as much of the merchandise replaced as soon as possible (she was insured up to $5,000) and open the store as soon as she can.

    The Peanut Shell is set to reopen for business on Tuesday. Call 208-339-1333 for more information.