Kain Lyster - YCSO photo
On February 7, 2010, at approximately 12 P.M., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported burglary at the Burro Inn Bar, 8355 Highway 89, Wilhoit. An employee told deputies that unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the closed business through a window, and stole US currency displayed on interior walls.
Over the years, customers and celebrities have signed 1, 5 and 10 dollar bills, which are attached to the walls and rafters. It was estimated that the suspect(s) stole well over $100.00 in currency displayed inside the bar.
The Burro Inn employee told deputies he had contacted staff at the Country Corner Store, 8500 block of Highway 89, and asked them to watch for these bills at their register. Just prior to the arrival of YCSO at the Burro Inn, the employee received a call from a Country Corner Store employee who believed one of the stolen bills had been used in a recent transaction.
Deputies contacted the Country Corner Store employee who explained that a customer, identified as 34-year-old Kain Lyster, had used a suspicious five-dollar bill to purchase mints. During the transaction, Lyster handed the bill to the clerk upside down, received his change and left. The transaction was video taped. When the clerk turned the bill over to place it in the register drawer, the unique writing described by the Burro Inn employee was visible. The bill also contained staple holes and a torn top right hand corner.
Deputies conducted a records check and located an address for Lyster in Wilhoit. When Lyster was questioned about the use of the bill, he claimed it was found the prior day on the highway. Deputies noted the bill was not missing prior to midnight, as it remained intact at the Burro Inn until closing. Additionally, the bill did not show any signs of damage from the rainstorm overnight. Deputies also matched the tear in the bill’s corner with a piece of the same bill still attached to the wall. Search for additional stolen property is ongoing.
Lyster was booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center for charges including Burglary, Theft, and Criminal Damage. Lyster remains in custody on a $10,000 bond. Next court date is 02/16/2010.
