Local firm vandalized during power outage

A local business was vandalized during the power blackout this past weekend.

Fort Scott Police Department Lt. Travis Shelton said police received a report at 10:18 p.m. Saturday of a break-in at Ward Kraft Inc., a local custom forms and labels manufacturer, 201 E. 23rd St. A company employee who called in the incident took police around the area and officers discovered damage to several vending machines in company buildings. Some coins were taken and items removed from the machines. Shelton said he did not have a dollar amount for the damages.

Ward Kraft Inc. President Mark Tucker said Tuesday two company buildings were broken into "sometime between Friday evening and Saturday evening" while power was out around town. Tucker said company officials discovered the break-in and damage Saturday evening.

Vandals broke into a couple of offices in the building, apparently looking for cash, Tucker said.

"It appeared they were looking for cash and we don't have much cash around so they were probably disappointed," he said.

Tucker said the vandals used an object such as a ball-peen hammer or screwdriver to break open the vending machines. He said Ward Kraft does not own the machines and the companies that own them will pay for the cost of the repairs.

Tucker said he couldn't place an exact dollar amount on the damage, but figured it was minimal.

"I haven't heard a dollar amount; it's not great," he said. "It's probably less than $1,000 ... There were some broken doors and windows. It didn't hurt a lot. They were looking for cash and we don't have it."

Shelton said the incident is currently under investigation and no arrests have been made. Police encourage anyone in the community who has information about the crime to call the FSPD tips hotline at (620) 223-1711.

Shelton said there were no other incidents of vandalism or major crimes reported during the blackout period, which lasted at least 30 hours.

"Nothing stood out; I was pleasantly surprised," he said.