Some damage caused at three schools and one church in Wallaceburg last week is the Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers’ ‘Crime of the Week.’
A total of 36 windows were smashed at H.W. Burgess Public School, Christ The King Catholic School and Holy Family Catholic School causing thousands of dollars in damage. Crime Stoppers officials say the Christian Reformed Church in Wallaceburg was also targeted by vandals in the early morning hours of May 24.
“The investigation indicates that these acts of mischief were committed by the same suspects,” Crime Stoppers officials stated in a press release.
“In one instance, entry was gained into the school and items were taken. Damages total into the thousands of dollars. Crime Stoppers is seeking your assistance of any information that identifies the suspects involved.”
Const. Kelly Helbin, public information officer for the Chatham-Kent Police Service, told the Sydenham Current it appears as if someone used a hammer or a similar type of instrument to smash out the windows.
“Our scenes of crime officer went and took a bunch of photographs,” Helbin said.
“Canvassing was done in the neighbourhood. All the incidents have been linked to the other schools. There are no suspects at this time.”
As previously reported in the Sydenham Current, Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB) officials said there were 25 windows broken across the back of H.W. Burgess, with an estimated cost of $20,000 in damages.
“Sometime during the overnight hours of Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24, H.W. Burgess Public School was vandalized,” LKDSB officials said.
“Entry to the school was not gained and no items were stolen from the school property.”
LKDSB officials said they are taking this incident “very seriously.
“We are cooperating fully with Chatham-Kent Police Service on the investigation,” public school board officials said.
A letter was set to be sent home to notify parents and guardians of the incident.
“We will continue to follow the direction of the Chatham-Kent Police Service as it relates to this investigation,” LKDSB officials stated.
“If any parents or guardians have concerns, we encourage them to contact the school or Chatham-Kent Police Service.”
St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) officials said 11 windows were smashed – nine at Christ The King and two at Holy Family.
Total cost of repairs is estimated at around $3,600.
“In addition, at Holy Family a sound field system, including a speaker, microphone and charging pack was stolen; along with an iPad mini. They were sitting in their charging positions on a countertop near the windows,” SCCDSB officials said.
If anyone has any information regarding this or any other crime, they can call Crime Stoppers at 519-351-8477, or 1-800-222-8477, text CRIMES (274637) keyword CKCS, or visit www.crime-stoppers.on.ca and email your tip.
Crime Stoppers guarantees people’s anonymity, they never ask for your name or your phone number.
They also pay cash for people’s tips.
