WILLMAR -- The Willmar Police Department is still searching for leads in a recent case of vandalism at Ridgewater College where nearly 20 cars were severely damaged.
More than 40 cars were reported vandalized to the Police Department Nov. 21 at Ridgewater College. More cars were reported damaged Nov. 22. Between $12,000 and $14,000 worth of damage was done to the vehicles, which are in a fenced area behind the college.
Although the initial report stated 40 cars were part of the vandalism, the Police Department found 19 cars severely damaged over the two-night period. "A large quantity of those vehicles had all four windows broken," said Willmar Police Officer Dustin Van der Hagen.
Fifteen vehicles were damaged the first night, with four damaged the second night. Adding insult to injury the second night, the vandals also stole one of the vehicles, drove it through the fence into a field nearby, before crashing it into a ditch near the fenced area, Van der Hagen said. Van der Hagen said the keys were in the vehicle that was stolen.
Sam Bowen, director of communications and marketing at Ridgewater, said the cars are used for the auto tech and auto body repair classes at the school. Many of the vehicles are donated to the school, but Bowen was unsure if they were all covered by the school's insurance policy.
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Bowen said the police are investigating the incident further.
The Kandiyohi County Crime Stoppers are offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism and theft of cars at Ridgewater.
Anyone with information is asked to call (320) 235-3640. All information is confidential.
