Marc Ranard, who owns Ranard’s Hauling, Removal and Recycling — a business that established curbside recycling service about three months ago — is perplexed and upset that someone would break into his operation and do damage intended to put him out of business.But that’s exactly the theory Ranard has behind a break-in that occurred sometime between 6:30 p.m. on Friday and about 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
“We’re pretty positive that was the reason behind it. A lot of the damage that was done was to violate our operations,” he told the Greene County Daily World on Tuesday morning.
Ranard’s business is located on the former Bartlett Construction Company property along State Road 157 about two miles north of Bloomfield. He’s been doing the hauling and removal end of he business in the Bloomfield area for the last eight years, but expanded his service earlier this year.
“It’s very discouraging. Everything we have — our livelihood and our funds and everything is in this (business),” Ranard said. “It’s been hurtful to us. We’re kind of at a loss and need some help if someone seen something or if they heard something in passing or whatever, we wish they would contact the proper authorities,” Ranard said.
The burglary, which is being investigated by Indiana State Trooper Eric Russell from the Bloomington Post, didn’t result in huge losses.
No cash was taken.
But Ranard believes this is more than an ordinary burglary.
At first, Ranard thought only a refrigerator had been entered and some soft drinks were stolen.
However, by Monday he discovered other damage was done that is very disturbing to him.
The burglars apparently busted three load cells on pallet scales and both oxygen and acetylene tanks used in the cutting up of the steel were also emptied.
“That damage was not discovered until Monday morning, because of the rain and cool weather on Saturday, we didn’t have any customers in to sell small scrap metal, which gets purchased on the small scales,” Ranard explained. “It wasn’t until we turned them on to use them this (Monday) morning, did we discover they wouldn’t work. We called the scale company and they immediately came over to repair them and discovered the damage.
“Both of our oxygen and acetylene tanks were empty today (Sunday) when they went to use them. The acetylene was getting low but still had some in it and the oxygen tank was nearly full when we left on Friday. That is what we use to cut our steel to size. They let all the gas out so we weren’t able to use them … who ever did this knew exactly what they were doing.”
“Obviously, who ever did this knew what it would take to damage the scales … I having scraped most of my adult life didn’t know how to damage one like that, until now that I own one and know and the fact they emptied the tanks we use to cut up scrap metal too. We got the message loud and clear. Someone isn’t wanting us in this business, wouldn’t you say?”
Ranard said it cost him about $140 to refill the tanks and he’s not sure how much he’ll be out to get the scales back in order.
A serviceman finished the job Tuesday morning, but Ranard hasn’t received a bill yet.
“We are back up and running now,” he said.
Ranard, who has three full-time employees one part-time and about three individuals that he calls floaters, said he and the police have some ideas about who might be responsible.
Ranard has also received an anonymous profile from a retired police officer who read the story in Greene County Daily World and offered his view on the crime.
“He said that from what he read his thoughts were we should be looking for two people, they either parked across the street or somewhere close. We checked with all of the neighbors … no one seen anything,” according to Ranard.
Ranard pointed out that a neighbor to the north of his property has been replacing a section of fence in the back and entry may have been gained at that location.
Once inside they did gain access to the office and two of the buildings.
“Everything that they did was vital to our operations. Whatever they done it was very neat and tidy and sneaky,” he said. “They didn’t want us to know that they had been here.”
Ranard said he doesn’t understand why someone would want to put him out of business.
“Competition is for the consumer because they are going to get better service and a better price for the stuff that you do buy. From my point of view, competition is good all the way around,” he concluded. “Not only does this hurt our business, but it hurts our family because they are concerned about our well-being, plus our employees, it’s frustrating to them too.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Bloomington ISP Post at (812) 332-4411 or toll-free 800-423-1286. Ranard can be contacted by calling 384-0999.
