By Sara Quam
The Dec. 7 robbery and arson at Luverne's True Value are still holding up the Novotnys from continuing their business operations.
"There have been a lot of people coming and going, but we don't know where we're at yet," co-owner Mark Novotny said.
Deputy State Fire Marshall Steve Kellen is investigating the crimes. He said he "occasionally" sees arson as a cover-up to burglary as in the case of True Value.
Investigating arsons is a complicated task. "It's hard to describe," Kellen said. "There's so much to go through to look for [clues.]"
Kellen said the arson tip line hasn't gotten any calls on the case yet, but he thinks it will. He said time is usually on the side of investigators and someone knows something and will likely come forward.
"We can only hope someone decides that they want to call in that they know who did this," Kellen said.
A safe recently found in Luverne was rumored to be True ValueÕs, but the safe was a private individual's that had been thrown in a dumpster and was unrelated to the True Value robbery.
The Dec. 7 robbery and arson left the Novotnys without the company safe, along with more than $1,200 in it. Their computer hard drives were sent to a company that may be able to retrieve information.
Damage was originally estimated at more than $600,000 on the building and contents destroyed at a time when shelves and storerooms were overstocked for holiday sales.
A new freight shipment worth about $8,000 had just arrived the night before the fire, and included 1,200 gallons of paint.
Mark and Beth have owned the Luverne True Value for six years and employ seven people full- and part-time.
A $2,500 reward is offered by the Minnesota chapter of International Arson Investigators for information leading to the identification of persons responsible for Friday's fire. The arson hotline is 1-800-723-2020.