November 4, 2022 |
Law enforcement is stepping up patrols at the Carbon County Fairgrounds after several acts of vandalism.
In early October, during the buildup for the Harvest Festival, someone broke into the fairground’s goat barn, where the festival pumpkins were stored. Entering through a side window, the suspect smashed $90 worth of pumpkins and stole $4 from a donation box. The Secretary of the Board for the Rawlins Chamber of Commerce Angelina Iacovetto described the damage in more detail.
According to Interim Carbon County Buildings and Grounds Manager Mike Newbrough, the vandal also broke into the Exhibit Hall. When not hosting events, the hall is relatively empty. Newbrough said he thinks that is why the suspect was only able to do minor damage.
Newbrough said the vandal, mostly, just made a big mess, largely caused by the residue from the fire extinguishers. The culprit also broke open a cash register. No money was taken. The register was empty.
How the vandal got into the Exhibit Hall is a mystery. The Carbon County buildings and grounds manager said his employee shut all the doors.
Details about the suspect’s identity are scarce. Newbrough said the sheriff’s department told him they arrested a female in relation to the break-in.
People are also damaging the Carbon County Fairgrounds’ parking lot by doing donuts, or cookies, as it is colloquially known. The culprits will drive around in circles, kicking up rocks. Potentially, they can lose control and crash into something. The sheriff’s department has been keeping an eye on the fairgrounds to stop the joyriders. Newbrough said it still happens on occasion, but he thinks local teens are responsible.
The sheriff’s office is taking the stunt driving in the parking lot seriously. Sheriff Archie Roybal said his department recently arrested someone for reckless driving in the fairgrounds’ parking area.
The identity of the suspect is unknown. Bigfoot 99 was able to discover that the person is an older male, not from Rawlins, with no prior arrests in the city.
Sheriff’s officers are stepping up patrols with the intent of preventing any more crimes from occurring at the Carbon County Fairgrounds. While the recent vandalism hasn’t caused significant damage, Sheriff Roybal wants to make sure things do not escalate.
