The Vermilion home where Jeremy Simko was murdered last week has been broken into twice since police wrapped up their investigation, according to Jack Bradley, attorney for the Simko’s wife, Julene.

Vermilion Police Chief Bob Kish said police were called to the scene about 2 p.m. yesterday when Simko’s family reported the home had been broken into.

“We’re investigating entries to the residence,” Kish said. He wouldn’t say what if anything was taken or the manner in which entry was made.

Bradley said he went to the house with Julene Simko and her mother at 2:30 p.m. Saturday to review the crime scene, and the three noticed it appeared someone had tried to pry open a large safe in the home’s entrance hallway.

There were no signs of forced entry to the home, and the three assumed at the time that investigators had damaged the safe during their processing of the crime scene, Bradley said.

Police then were called to the residence late Saturday or early Sunday because neighbors heard dogs barking, Bradley said.

Julene Simko went to the home again on Sunday afternoon to get clothing for her husband’s funeral and noticed there had been another break-in attempt, Bradley said.

“A living room window was open, and the deadbolt was punched out of the front door,” Bradley said. The safe was more heavily damaged this time, he said, but the burglars still did not manage to get into it.

The safe had contained weapons, but they were all taken by police, and the safe contained nothing of any value, according to Bradley.

“There had been break-ins in that neighborhood for a while,” Bradley said when asked if Julene Simko had any idea what the burglars might be looking for.

Police took the Simkos’ surveillance equipment, but Bradley said he was confident there would be increased security in the area by Vermilion police.

“They would like to catch the person or persons who did this,” Bradley said, adding that doing so could possibly aid their initial murder investigation.

“There are many things people have jumped to conclusions about” after Jeremy Simko’s death, Bradley said. “Based on the new developments, we hope they will rethink those conclusions.”

Obituary information provided to The Chronicle today told a little more about Simko.

From the obituary:

Simko, 36, was born in Lorain on July 7, 1973, and had been a resident of Brownhelm Township for the past nine years; he had previously resided in Sheffield Township.

He was a 1991 graduate of Clearview High School, where he was a member of the varsity wrestling team, competing in the 135-pound weight class. Following his graduation, he attended Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville, Ohio.

He was employed as an arborist for both Edwards Tree Service and Davey Tree Service before founding his own firm in 1997. Simko and his wife, Julene, worked to develop Simko Tree Service into one of the premier tree services in northern Ohio.

Simko was an avid naturalist always looking for ways to preserve and enjoy nature. He was regarded as a gifted tree climber and a meticulous worker. He was strong, intelligent and a very determined and savvy businessman. He was also a creative entrepreneur who always looked for ways to perfect his craft and please his clients.

Simko enjoyed campfires and spending time with friends. He was also a good cook and great teacher. One of the gifts he will leave behind is the knowledge he bestowed upon his nieces and nephews. He taught them about trees, how to swim, how to hunt and how to drive. What he cherished most, however, were long hikes with his wife, Julene (nee Knick), and their four German Shepherds.

In addition to Julene, his wife of 10 years, Simko is survived by his mother, Rose Mager of Sheffield Township, by his father, Robert J. Simko of Cooksburg, Pa., by sisters, Melanie M. Simko of Westlake and Hillary A. Duran of Elyria, by his paternal grandmother, Mary Simko of Avon, by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Judy and Rolando Maldonado of Lorain, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Lillian Mager, maternal grandfather, Joseph Mager, and by his paternal grandfather, John Simko.

Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway, Lorain.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Friendship Animal Protective League, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035.