FSPD investigating rash of vandalism

Fort Scott Police Department officers are looking into a string of criminal property damage incidents that have occurred this week at various locations throughout town.

On Monday, the FSPD received a report of criminal damage to a large window at the Fort Scott Community College School of Cosmetology, 7 S. National Ave. Another Monday incident involved criminal damage to a window at Citizens Bank, N.A., 200 S. Main St. Police reports on both incidents said the windows had possibly been shot out, and the estimated cost of the damage is $300 per window.

At about 10 a.m. Tuesday, police received a report of criminal damage to two windows at the Milrose, LLC building, 7.5 E. Wall St. Another unreported incident involved criminal damage to a large window on the front of a building located at 2 S. National Ave., that previously housed a Chinese restaurant.

It is not currently known how any of the crimes were committed and what object was used to cause the property damage in either of the crimes. Police have not yet arrested anyone in connection with any of the incidents, FSPD Lt. Travis Shelton said Thursday.

Shelton said the incidents could be connected, but officers won't know for sure until an investigation into the crimes is complete.

"They could be (connected) but we're working them as individual cases," he said. "As of right now, we're treating them as separate incidents."

None of the windows that were damaged were completely shattered. A small hole had been found on the window at the FSCC School of Cosmetology building that could possibly have been created using a BB gun, a rock or a stick. A slightly larger hole about the size of a silver dollar was discovered on the window at Citizens Bank, N.A. A hole about 7-8 inches in diameter was discovered on the window of the old Chinese restaurant. No objects or weapons were found after all scenes were checked, Shelton said.

Police won't be sure how the windows were broken until after each crime is investigated, Shelton said.

"An unknown object was used to break the windows," he said.

In an unrelated incident this week involving criminal damage to property, local resident Whitney Nickelson reported about 6 a.m. Wednesday that the rear windshield on a vehicle parked at a residence at 408 S. Hill St. had been broken out. Detailed information on the vehicle or how the window was broken is not currently available. The damage is estimated to cost $500, the police report said.