FSPD seeks public help in criminal damage investigation

The Fort Scott Police Department is seeking help from the public as officers continue to investigate a series of criminal property damages in the community the last couple of months.

The most recent string of incidents occurred in mid-June and resulted in damages to building windows at several area businesses.

"This is not one random act, we've had multiple victims," FSPD Lt. Travis Shelton said. "It's not cute or funny and it's doing damages to some of our area businesses. This is more than just one isolated incident ... this is getting ridiculous."

On June 19, police received a report of criminal damage to a window at Extrusions, Inc., 2401 S. Main St. The damage is estimated at $200. On the same day, a report came in to the FSPD of criminal damage to a window at Woods Supermarket, 2322 S. Main St. Damage to that window is estimated to cost $1,500.

Police received three other reports of criminal damage to windows on June 20; one involving a broken insulated glass window at Subway, 1715 S. National Ave., valued at $1,200, one involving criminal damage to a glass window at the AT and T building, 23 W. First St., with damage estimated at $1,000, and another involving 10 damaged windows at Eugene Ware Elementary School, 900 E. Third St., with damages estimated to cost about $5,000. Several window screens at the school, valued at $100, were also damaged, the police report said.

On June 21, two police reports were filed involving a damaged window at Aunt Toadie's, 1411 E. Wall St., valued at $500, and a damaged window at Taco Bell, 2305 S. Main St., valued at $300.

A majority of the damages took place during the evening hours, but a couple of the incidents occurred during the daytime hours, Shelton said.

Most of the damages seem to have been done with some type of BB gun, air gun, or airsoft gun, he added.

"It appears to be the same type of instrument used to break these windows," he said. "We don't know if it's an individual or multiple people yet."

The incidents could be connected and possibly committed by the same person or persons, but police aren't sure yet until the investigations are complete. The June crimes are just some of the 15-20 criminal property damage cases police have been investigating in recent months. A string of similar criminal property damages to windows in several downtown businesses took place in late May.

No arrests have been made in connection with any of the crimes, and each case is being investigated separately, Shelton said.

As police continue investigations of the incidents, they are also seeking assistance from the public. Anyone who has a tip or lead that police may follow regarding the criminal damages are encouraged to call the FSPD Tip hotline at (620) 223-1711. People who choose to call the hotline can leave an anonymous voice message for police. Callers also have the option of dialing FSPD dispatch at 223-1700 and requesting to speak with an officer about information on the crimes, Shelton said.

"Officers are following leads now but any help from the public would be greatly appreciated," he said.