Ocala, Florida — Investigators are currently looking for unknown suspect(s) that entered an office building and stole a large floor safe.
According to reports, someone broke into an office building at Bubba Raceway Park, located at 9050 Northwest Gainesville Road, and stole a floor safe that contained approximately $13,570.
Someone had entered through the north window of the office building. Once inside, the individuals(s) rummaged through the office. There were two safes in the office, but only one had been removed.
During the investigation, a call came in about a safe that had been found on the property at Fessenden Elementary School. It was the safe that had been stolen from Bubba Raceway Park. The caretaker of the school made the discovery.
Bubba Raceway Park manager Preston McAllister told investigators that there were two compartments inside the safe — an upper and a lower compartment.
According to reports, a corner of the top portion of the safe had been cut out. McAllister said the proceeds from Friday night’s race were inside the top portion, which amounted to $5,570.
The bottom portion of the safe was not breached, but due to the combination dial being damaged, McAllister could not open the safe.
McAllister said since the safe had been rolled it was possible the money in the lower part of the safe had been moved to the upper compartment. The lower compartment contained $8,000. However, since the safe could not be opened, the theft of the $8,000 could not be verified.
While on the scene, investigators also found a dolly that belonged to Bubba Raceway Park, which had been used to move the safe from the office building. Investigators were able to follow impressions made by the wheels of the dolly, along with several footprints that were photographed.
Bubba Raceway Park employee Charles Atkins, who lives on the property, said the inner gate that was broken into had been locked Saturday night.
If anyone has information please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.