Published: June 23, 2009 08:39 am      

Saplings destroyed at Santa Fe strip center

Galen Scott

gscott@weatherforddemocrat.com

Weatherford Police suspect a group of juvenile suspects is responsible for causing heavy damage to landscaping outside a shopping center at 500 Santa Fe Drive.

Police aren’t sure when the suspected vandalism occurred. Approximately 20 shrubs and small trees were found lying on the ground Monday morning.

In addition, several large, decorative sandstone rocks were dislodged and rolled over.

The property’s owner, Bill Crowder, was at the center trying to clean things up Monday afternoon

“There is just no reason for this,” he said. “None.”

Based on a preliminary report, Weatherford Police Detective Wendy Field said several small trees appeared to be pulled up or stepped on. Police also believe a small, sharp object may have been used to cut other trees.

A resident of the neighborhood behind Crowder’s property who did not identify himself described three boys approximately 11 years old near the shopping center between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Unlike the damage at Crowder’s property, most criminal mischief cases involving damage to landscaping involve the use of a motor vehicle, according to Field.

“At this point it looks like juveniles might have been involved,” she said.

No damage was reported at the businesses occupying the commercial center and no other sign of landscape vandalism was reported in the city over the weekend.

Crowder said the center hasn’t been vandalized before, though a corrugated water trough was stolen in recent months.

An investigator is expected to be assigned the case today.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Weatherford Police Department at (817) 598-4310, or can call Crimestoppers to remain anonymous.