2 arrested after ‘numerous’ Franklin locations vandalized
FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) –Police arrested two people in connection to several cases of vandalism in Johnson County.
Many homes and business owners in Franklin were left cleaning up the vandalism.
One business owner came into work Wednesday morning to find a huge mess in front of his restaurant in downtown Franklin.
He said the vandals caused him hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage.
Surveillance camera at The Willard captured two men on video early Tuesday morning around 4:30 a.m.
The video shows a man walking into frame then seconds later he’s kicking the flower pot. A few minutes later a second man can be seen following behind.
“Very disappointed, you know to come into work and when we have a business to run we have to start cleaning up pots, flowers, and soil and things like that,” said Tony Priola, owner of The Willard.
Priola said the vandals destroyed eight flower pots. He said this is the second time in less than two weeks that his restaurant has been vandalized.
“It was kind of disheartening to see it happen again after we cleaned it up once already and replaced some pots,” said Priola. “My wife just got done cleaning the flowers she was kind of disappointed as well.”
The Franklin Police Department believes the same two men seen on camera may be connected to other cases.
Police said nearby businesses had similar damage, like the Greek’s Pizzeria and the Elks Lodge.
“There are a lot of businesses in Franklin you know attracting people to come down to Franklin and to see our great city and you have people destroying property for even new and old businesses like The Willard,” said Priola.
But the damage doesn’t end there. Police said the vandals went after Franklin Middle School, Northwood Elementary, Franklin Parks and Recreation Center and a bathroom in Province Park.
Photos taken at the scene show the extent of the damage. The Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Recreation told 24-Hour News 8 someone slashed out the tires to the center’s van.
The Center said the bathroom at the park will be closed for the remainder of the year while they wait for money to fix it.
Police said statement from a witness and security video helped to identified the suspects.
Police arrested Roy Burkett and Brian Shaw. Both were arrested on charges of felony criminal mischief.
