VAN BUREN : Suspect in vandalism arrested
Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008
VAN BUREN — A Van Buren man was being held without bond Thursday after police arrested him in connection with vandalism at the Crawford County Courthouse.
Anthony Duane Fisher, 33, was being held in the county jail on suspicion of first-degree criminal mischief and burglary, both felonies. He also was being held at the request of the Arkansas Department of Correction.
No formal charges were filed Thursday.
Police say Fisher broke into the courthouse Monday night and caused extensive damage throughout the building, smashing glass doors, ransacking offices and destroying electronic equipment. Hardest hit was the circuit courtroom on the second floor, which had considerable damage to its audio system and video arraignment equipment.
County Treasurer Sharon Taylor reported $ 95 was stolen from a cash drawer in her office. Otherwise, there were no reports of anything taken.
“He was just there to cause damage,” Van Buren police Lt. Brent Grill said.
After his arrest Wednesday, Fisher said he broke into the courthouse because he was angry with his wife after an argument Monday evening.
But Grill said Fisher had been sentenced to five years in prison last week after being convicted of burglary before Circuit Judge Gary Cottrell in the courtroom that was vandalized Monday.
The burglar suffered a cut during his rampage. Officers found blood smears around the first floor of the courthouse on doors and door frames, counters and some equipment. Grill said Fisher had a large cut on his left arm when he was arrested.
Police were able to identify Fisher and place the time of the break-in from surveillance cameras in two areas of the courthouse, Grill said. The police put out Fisher’s name and description Tuesday in hopes the public would spot and report him.
Around noon Wednesday, the Van Buren Police Department received a tip Fisher was at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith visiting a relative there. Responding officers found Fisher’s car but not Fisher, Grill said.
Van Buren police received a call about 8: 15 p. m. Wednesday that Fisher was at 3925 Rowe St. in Fort Smith. Van Buren called the Fort Smith Police Department, which sent officers to the address and found Fisher asleep on a couch. They arrested him and turned him over to Van Buren police, a Fort Smith police news release said.
Meanwhile, county officials and staff spent Wednesday cleaning up the offices. Several pieces of furniture, counter tops, file cabinets and equipment had either blood or fingerprint powder that needed to be cleaned up.
Insurance adjusters also were on the scene but had not given the county a damage estimate.
The several courthouse doors that had their antique glass panels smashed were boarded up. Plans have been made to order replacement glass, Elaine Stanfield of the county judge’s office said Thursday.
The courthouse reopened to the public Thursday but there was no court on the second floor.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
