Juveniles referred in vandalism, fire cases
Eleven juveniles have been referred to juvenile authorities in separate vandalism and fire cases, according to the Jamestown Police Department. Detective Sgt. Leroy Gross said seven teenagers were referred to juvenile court for allegedly vandalizing a Jamestown building for more than a month.By: Ben Rodgers, The Jamestown Sun
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Eleven juveniles have been referred to juvenile authorities in separate vandalism and fire cases, according to the Jamestown Police Department.
Detective Sgt. Leroy Gross said seven teenagers were referred to juvenile court for allegedly vandalizing a Jamestown building for more than a month.
He said the teens broke windows, knocked out walls and broke doors at the former Aggregate Industries site, 700 block of First Street East, on or about May 17, causing about $5,000 in damage.
The juveniles were picked up Thursday and Wednesday.
A witness said he saw children there many times and reported it to police.
Gross said the same group probably came back numerous times since May 17.
The building was vacant, not abandoned, and was for sale. A prospective buyer kept noticing damage getting worse upon each visit.
There were seven referrals to juvenile court for trespassing and six referrals for criminal mischief.
Four different teenagers were also referred to juvenile court on a total of eight charges stemming from a Tuesday evening fire, according to Dana Gerlach, Jamestown Police Department officer.
The fire was reported around 5:21 p.m. in the former C.H. Carpenter Lumber yard along the 100 block of Fourth Avenue Southeast.
“Some individual called in smoke coming up,” Gerlach said. “They said they saw two juveniles running south. We came in there and found a mattress burnt.”
Three pallets and the mattress were destroyed, resulting in about $100 damage. There was also some soot damage to the building.
However, the cost to the city was significant because 29 firefighters and four trucks responded, resulting in a bill of $1,130, said Fire Chief Jim Reuther.
“It’s very important we have that many people to know we have enough to handle the situation,” Reuther said.
What appears to be a small fire can sometimes turn into an hours-long battle, although it doesn’t happen often, he said.
The four juveniles, one girl and three males, were referred on four counts of trespassing and four counts of willful act resulting in fire.
The Jamestown Police Department would not release the ages of the juveniles involved in the crimes.
Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com
Tags: local news, news, crime
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