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One in custody, more arrests expected in connection with Smolan vandalism

11/14/2011
By the Salina Journal

One teen is in custody and more arrests are expected in connection with damage to property in Smolan over the weekend caused by BB guns, graffiti and stolen fire extinguishers.
John P. Johnson, 16, of McPherson, was being held in the Saline County Juvenile Detention Center Monday. He was arrested on charges of burglary, theft, trespass and two counts of criminal damage to property, Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said. Two or three additional arrests are expected, Kochanowski said.
Kochanowski said the sheriff’s office received numerous reports of damage that occurred between 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 p.m. Sunday. Included were:
• Windows and tires on a car belonging to Jerry Tryban were damaged while the vehicle was parked in the 200 block of East Walnut Street; $850 damage.
• Rear windows on two vans belonging to Oden Jester were shattered while the vehicles were parked in the 200 block of South Second Street; $875 damage.
• Window panes were broken in two buildings in the 200 block of East North Street belonging to Dale Gier; $120 damage.
• A window was shot out in a 1996 Bayliner yacht belonging to Charles Anderson that was parked in the 200 block of Main Street; $1,500 damage.
• Graffiti was spray-painted on a mirror, carpet and walls and fire extinguisher was sprayed in a house in the 300 block of South Third Street belonging to William Petty; $900 damage.
• A window was broken and two fire extinguishers were stolen from a former school in the 300 block of South Third Street owned by Douglas Hamilton; $240 loss and damage.
Kochanowski said deputies developed leads on the possible identities of the vandals after a deputy responding to another call observed a group of teenagers walking around the community during the approximate time the damage occurred.