Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Investigation Initiated In Vandalism Cases

   Law enforcement officials have been called upon to investigate a number of vandalism/burglary incidents in recent days during which the culprits inflicted large amounts of damage while no one was about.

   In one such incident owners of a vacant farm house on Dugout Road in the Summertown area reported someone had caused nearly $3,000 worth of damage. Exterior doors were busted, as were the windows. Inside, the culprits knocked numerous holes in the sheetrock, caused a hole in the floor, removed an electrical box, and removed three interior doors. One of the doors, deputies report, had been thrown into a nearby pond. In addition, all the items stored in the barn had been tossed into the yard. None of them, however, appeared to be damaged or missing.

   Deputies responded to a similar call to a home on Chief Creek Road. There, renters reported they were in the process of moving and had spent the weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. When they returned on Monday, they discovered that holes had been knocked in walls and doors of the home, the sink had been damaged, a window was broken, and their groceries had been stolen or consumed. Damages there were estimated at approximately $1,000.

   These and other crimes remain under investigation presently through the department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone who has knowledge regarding the crimes is urged to contact the sheriff’s department at 762-3626.