April 11, 2023 |
Photo – Damaged Bulldozer – Courtesy Kelly Brandt of Mass Grading
A Rawlins man, Justin Leroy Clark, is under arrest for multiple acts of vandalism also known as felony property destruction.
The three incidents, all involving broken glass, occurred recently in Rawlins. Police Chief Mike Ward said the suspect was arrested on Sunday.
The bulldozer, a rented 2022 Caterpillar D3, was being used by Mass Grading LLC to level a building pad near City Market. Mass Grading’s owner, Kelly Brandt said the bulldozer was parked behind the supermarket after work was finished on Friday, March 31st. Brandt said an employee informed him of the damage that weekend.
Fortunately, Norco Industrial, a gas supply company, had a camera pointed directly at Brandt’s equipment. Brandt said after two days of reviewing the footage, Norco employees showed him a video of Clark committing the crime.
Brandt said no personal belongings or items of personal value were in the bulldozer for Clark to steal.
Last Thursday, April 6th, Rawlins PD received a call of broken glass at Bomgaars, next door to City Market. Chief Ward said despite the appearance of a burglary, nothing had been stolen.
Brandt said the video taken from Norco Industrial’s cameras clearly showed Clark exiting and entering his house. Rawlins Police arrested Clark and charged him with the damage to Brandt’s bulldozer, Bomgaar’s windows, and a nearby vehicle.
Property damage of more than $999 is considered a felony. Brandt said the two broken bulldozer windows cost $1,100 each, plus installation. Chief Ward said the vehicle damage was considered a misdemeanor.
Chief Ward said Clark’s motives for the vandalism are unknown. As of the reporting of this story, Clark’s charging documents had not been entered into the system. They should be available later today.
Clark appeared before Judge Dawnessa Snyder in Carbon County Circuit Court and is charged with one count each of felony and misdemeanor property destruction. Clark is being held in county jail on $5,000 cash or commercial bond.
