Arrests Made in Vandalism of Over 25 Buildings

MANHATTAN -Beginning in October of last year over 25 buildings in and surrounding downtown Manhattan, K-State University Campus, and Pottawatomie County were vandalized by subjects using various colors of spray paint according to a release from the Riley County Police Department. In total officials anticipates the damages to be valued in excess of $15,000.00. These tags included multiple images, words, and offensive phrases.

Graffiti found on the side of a building at Pierre and 4th Street

Officers with the Riley County Police Department worked alongside officers with the Kansas State University Police Department and Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office as well as asked for the community’s help through the use of the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Over the weekend as a result of a thorough investigation 3 arrests were made following a search warrant related to the crime of criminal damage to property.

Police served this search warrant at 2033 Arthur Drive in Manhattan, Kansas on February 5, and arrested Jackson Meyer, 19, of that address for criminal damage to property.

RCPD continued to investigate the matter and found that two additional subjects were involved.

Austin Cranston, 18, of Manhattan was arrested on February 6, for the offense of criminal damage to property.

Also arrested for the offense of criminal damage to property was Justin Ward, 18, of Wamego, Kansas. He was given a bond of $3,000.0

In total, buildings operated by over 14 victims were vandalized and the clean-up process has been ongoing.

Further action may result as RCPD and the Kansas State University Police Department continue to investigate the matter.