Lakeport >> Unknown suspects completely smashed out a glass door sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning at the Lake County Library, making this the third time in less than a month that the facility has been the target of vandalism.
“We believe that this crime is related to four other incidents of smashed windows/glass doors at both the Lake County Library and the Pet Country store between Friday, February 27 and (Wednesday),” Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen stated in a media release.
The first hits at both locations, only a few blocks apart, took place on Feb. 27. Reports of smashed glass doors were made at almost exact the same time. Nothing was missing at either place, and officers were not able to retrieve evidence from the scenes.
Vandals attacked the library again on Friday, a week after the first incident, and smashed a window. The Pet Country store sustained another broken glass door on Monday as well.
“In addition to these cases, we have had other vandalism incidents during the same date span but it is currently unknown if they have any relation to the Lake County Library and Pet Country incidents,” Rasmussen stated.
On March 1, an unknown driver completely smashed three center roadway reflective pedestrian crossing signs in front of the courthouse on North Forbes Street, Rasmussen continued. Because of the extent of the damages, officials believe it was an act of vandalism, not accidental.
And at Clear Lake High School, a palm tree was pulled from the ground, and a metal halide light fixture was found broken on March 2.
In total, police are now investigating seven incidents of vandalism which have caused at least $4,000 in damages, according to rough estimates.
“It is very unfortunate that we have persons out there who are getting pleasure out of destroying public and private property and costing public agencies, citizens and business thousands of dollars that now have to be diverted from other important budget resources that are meant to provide important services to the community,” Rasmussen stated. “We are hopeful that someone in the community may have information that could help us identify the suspects in these crimes so that they can be held accountable.”
All of the cases are under continued investigation by the Lakeport Police Department. Anyone with information regarding the crimes is asked to call the LPD at 263-5491 or send a private message on its Facebook account at www.facebook.com/pages/Lakeport-Police-Department/176101292414821.
