Police are investigating a Saturday night burglary at the Oakdale Yogurt Station on West F Street where the premises was ransacked and had equipment damaged, goods scattered, and items taken, including the business safe.

Oakdale Police Officer Aaron Beatty said police were contacted by the owner about 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23. The preliminary investigation showed no signs of a forced entry to the business where criminals vandalized the store and stole items from inside the sweetshop.

Officer Beatty said among some of the damage in the business was that the televisions had their screens broken and an exterior door pane was smashed. The suspects also scattered the various toppings and confections inside the store and turned on the yogurt dispensers, leaving them running to drain yogurt on the floor.

“We’re still trying to determine what was taken,” said Beatty on Sunday, who also confirmed one of the stolen items was the business safe. “The investigation is ongoing.”

Police said they obtained evidence in the case including closed-circuit video of the break-in.

Jeffrey and Barbara Goschen opened the Yogurt Station in late 2011 and have been very active within the community hosting various events at the establishment including a carwash that was scheduled to take place that Sunday.

“The community really stepped up in helping us get back up,” said Jeffrey Goschen. “We were back operating within two hours.”

Goschen said when people heard about the crime and damage he had employees coming in on their day off to help and others “stopping by on their way home from church.”

With over 100 gallons of yogurt flooded across the business floor, Goschen said he turned to Gary Spray, who used an industrial vacuum to extract the gooey mess.

On Monday, Sept. 24, Goschen was busy with insurance papers and meeting with the police. He said that in addition to the safe, a television and X-Box gaming system with games were also stolen along with damage to his cash register screens.

“This is really sad,” said Oakdale Mayor Pat Paul. “Phil and I went down this morning to sweep up the glass. What kind of people do this? Why?”

Despite his misfortune, Goschen was still upbeat and planned on continuing business with replacement equipment.

“People can try to stop business from happening, but Oakdale shows it will step up,” said Goschen.

Anyone with information regarding this crime should contact investigators at the Oakdale Police Department (209) 845-3571.