Immigrants suspected of breaking into Kolbe home
Associated Press
Aug. 4, 2005 07:30 AM TUCSON - The home of U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., was broken into by a group of suspected illegal immigrants but little damage was done, authorities said.
Santa Cruz Sheriff Tony Estrada said a friend of Kolbe's reported the break-in on July 23 when he noticed one of the home's doors was wide open.
Sheriff's deputies, Border Patrol agents and Patagonia police responded to the home in Sonoita, which is 25 miles north of the Mexican border.
The culprits apparently showed little interest in items of value and left untouched a computer, television, and rifle. Instead, they appeared to have showered, prepared a meal in the microwave, and helped themselves to a change of the congressman's clothes.
The scene was consistent with similar cases involving migrant break-ins along the border, said Patagonia Assistant Police Chief Thomas Schenek.
"The only real items you see taken or gone through in cases like this are food and clothing," he said.
Estrada said the case will remain open until Kolbe can make a complete inventory of the missing items.