Police ask for public's help in mischief cases
Thousands of dollars worth of damage done by vandals to area businesses over the last year
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

They strike after dark, armed with rocks or BB guns. Their target: the glass windows and doors of area businesses.

For 13 months now, vandals have wreaked havoc on the Wharton business community, striking more than a dozen locations throughout the city. In each case, merchants have locked up for the night only to return the next morning to find the shattered remains of their front windows and doors. In most cases, lying nearby was found a rock, chunk of concrete or BB pellet.

Wharton police say enough is enough. With the accumulated damage valued at thousands of dollars, detectives are now pursuing felony charges. And if more than three individuals have been teaming up on the mischief, charges of engaging in organized criminal activity could also be filed.

Police say it's likely the same group is responsible.

"These are similar cases where either windows or glass doors have been broken out in a business. And it doesn't appear that they ever attempt to make entry," said Detective Ben Evans of the Wharton Police Department.

"Nothing is being reported stolen," added Detective Don Falks.

Evans and Falks have both been assigned a portion of the mischief cases.

The first incident was reported in January of 2007. Since then, more cases have been reported with the most recent Tuesday.

Businesses that the vandals have struck include: Zarsky Lumber Co., Wharton Tractor, Freddie's, Street Scene, Alkaline Fitness Water, the Mini Mart on FM 102, Palais Royal, the Wharton Kidney Center, Creative Care, Svatek's, Dollar General, ACE Rent to Own and Prosperity Bank.

Also hit were Wharton High School, Wharton ISD's Alternative School and Dawson Elementary School.

A couple of the businesses have been hit more than once, but police do not believe that's anything personal.

"There's no evidence to indicate these businesses are being targeted," said Falks. "It's random."

So far, police have had little to go on. One witness described four individuals in black hooded sweatshirts driving away from a scene in a pickup, but police are still searching for something more substantial.

They encourage business owners to review their video surveillance equipment to make sure clear, noise-free images are being recorded.

"That video is crucial to our investigation," Falks said.

Anyone who may have information on the incidents can call Evans or Falks at 532-3131. In the meantime, police are doing what they can to stymie any future cases.

"Patrol has been stepped up," Falks said.