Juveniles identified in vandalism and thefts around Colfax

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX  —  Residents of Colfax can relax now — the juveniles who have been responsible for a rash thefts and and a variety of vandalism over the past few months have been identified.

“Damage occurred all over town,” said Colfax Police Chief William Anderson.

Cars that were unlocked had a wallet, cash and loose change stolen. Several cars were entered and gone through, but nothing was taken. The suspects attempted to gain entry to a house but were scared off by a dog. Lawn ornaments, solar lights and potted plants were stolen or vandalized, the police chief said.

The person whose home was the target of an attempted break-in heard the ruckus at around 3 a.m., got up, and saw a number of items knocked over by the sink but thought the cat had been responsible. The person did not see the screen had been cut until the next morning and did not notify law enforcement until then, Police Chief Anderson said.

Woods Run Forest Products also suffered damaged equipment that had been spray painted, he said.

Liberty Snyder of Woods Run was especially outraged over the nature of the vandalism.

“They used our own spray paint to do it!” she said while talking to the Colfax Messenger about the incident.

Police Chief Anderson said some of the incidents had been handled by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department, and as of Tuesday, July 25, he was still waiting for copies of reports.

Once all of the reports have been collected, they will be forwarded to Dunn County Human Services, he said.

Two juveniles were identified as being involved in the incidents, but because the suspects are juveniles, Police Chief Anderson is limited as to what he can say about the investigation or the incidents.

During ongoing investigations, law enforcement personnel are always limited in what they can say about the investigation, but it is particularly true when the suspects are juveniles.

Be that as it may, “we got our guys,” Police Chief Anderson said.

The police chief said he is anticipating the suspects will be charged with several misdemeanors and possibly several felonies.

“The juveniles have been identified, and now we’ve got all the paperwork to do,” the police chief said.

Because the suspects are juveniles, any charges filed, along with any accompanying complaints or police reports, will not be available to the public, and the Colfax Messenger will not be able to report on those court cases.

The suspects also admitted slashing tires around town about six weeks ago, Police Chief Anderson noted.

Village board

The Colfax Messenger spoke to Police Chief Anderson Tuesday, July 25.

At the July 24 Colfax Village Board meeting, Barb and George Entzminger of Colfax spoke to the board during public comments.

Barb Entzminger read a letter to the board:

“Mr. President and members of the village board: As a taxpayer of this community and as a concerned citizen, I am here to request information regarding the property violations that have been taking place in our village and just outside our village limits. As one of the target victims of the recent vandalisms, we experienced the loss of the use of our bicycles on our property. Our adult bike tires were slashed, along with the bicycles used by our four grandchildren. These children have now had to experience firsthand at their young ages the dark side of humanity that wishes ill on their fellow neighbors … many others have experienced loss to a greater or lesser degree than we have. Some neighbors have experienced their losses more than once. Again, as a concerned citizen and a victim of these acts, I would appreciate knowing what the village board intends to do to safeguard our neighborhoods. Thank you for your time.”

Colfax Village President Gary Stene asked if Police Chief Anderson had any information he could share with the board during the July 24 village board meeting.

“No, I don’t,” Police Chief Anderson said. “It is ongoing and open, and that’s where it’s at.”

“It’s disturbing, and I hope we get the little rascals and get ‘em squared away,” Stene said.

A break in the case occurred overnight.