Candidate Porter reports break-in at his business

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

Congressional candidate Jon Porter reported a break-in at his insurance business -- just a week after his opponent reported a burglary at his home.

Porter said someone entered the back door to his Farmer's Insurance office on Whitney Ranch Drive near Sunset Road, tripping an alarm about 12:20 a.m. Saturday. The suspects then ripped the alarm's wires out of the wall, triggering the alarm company to notify Porter's assistant -- the contact person for the company.

The assistant drove to the office, where he saw shadowy figures inside and lights being turned on and off. He notified Henderson Police, whose officers saw one person inside the office when they arrived, Porter said.

Porter said police believe two people were responsible for the break-in, based on two people being seen near the office at the time. However, no one was stopped by police and no suspects have been identified.

Porter, the Republican vying for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, said someone broke into both his internal office and a credenza with a sledgehammer.

"They pilfered through a lot of stuff on my desk, opened some mail and unplugged the computers," Porter said. "We feel violated. It's very personal when someone invades your privacy."

Nothing was reported stolen, and Porter said his customers' information was not breached.

Last Tuesday, Democratic congressional candidate Dario Herrera's wife reported a burglary at the couple's home. Herrera, Porter's opponent, said two laptop computers, a DVD player, 150 neckties and some jewelry were stolen in that incident.