Lexington/Richland Counties, SC (WLTX) -- Deputies from two agencies are working together to solve crimes in their counties where vandals struck, and they believe those responsible are targeting an animal adoption agency.
Monica McCartha Works with Pets Inc., the not-for-profit organization that helps people adopt animals like cats and dogs.
"We try and find correct homes for each animal," she said.
In the last three weeks, the animal adoption agency has been vandalized repeatedly.
"A couple of weeks ago, we had the break-in at the front door where somebody broke into the building," she said. "Luckily, our alarm system did go off, but someone did steal a flat screen TV."
A van at the facility had all of its tires slashed twice in as many days.
"As pathetic as the van may be, this is all we have to depend on to get our animals to the vet," she said.
Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said, "The van tires had been replaced. They came back during the night and repunctured all four tires again."
Lexington deputies are working with Richland County deputies to solve the crimes.
"We share information daily. We share cases daily. We share support," Lt. Chris Cowan of Richland County Sheriff's Department said.
The two departments believe there is a link between what happened at the Pets, Inc. facility and vandalism at a business in White Rock at the Palmetto Shelving Systems on Dutch Fork Road.
"Cut the fence, went in, cut the tires the first night and the second night went back and cut four more vehicles--the tires--on four more vehicles," Cowan said.
The shelving business is owned by a founder of Pets, Inc.
"They went there specifically for the purposes of committing this vandalism," Cowan said.
"Obviously, someone is after something with regards to Pets Incorporated," Metts said.
Police are working together to catch those responsible, but it's difficult for McCartha to understand why anyone would want to hurt an organization that tries to do the right thing.
"It's not just our organization itself who is suffering for this damage. It's also the animals here. So, we would appreciate any extra help in finding anyone who committed this crime," she said.
If you have information that might help police find those responsible, contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or e-mail a tip in to www.midlandscrimestoppers.com. You can also text information in by texting "TIPSC" plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Either way you choose, your identity will remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.
10/31/2009 8:42:46 AM
