Caledonia Argus

Two men face charges in vandalism incident

Posted: 1/30/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Two men are facing charges for the vandalism of construction equipment on Hwy. 3 that occurred July 29, 2001.

Clinton Mechial Rohrer, 21, of Brownsville and Andrew John Schwanbeck, 21, of La Crescent were charged in court Thursday, January 24, for first degree criminal damage to property, a felony.

The crime is a felony because of the amount of damage involved in the crime.

According to the complaint, the two are charged with damaging six pieces of equipment belonging to J.B. Holland Construction in the amount of $8,801.

Schwanbeck admitted to Houston County Chief Investigator Gary Eddy that he had taken a road grader and drove it on top of a bulldozer.

The fuel line and numerous wires were cut. Many windows were kicked out with items strewn about the ground. A portable toilet had been pushed over, and two radios stolen.

The two were apprehended after Eddy conducted an investigation of the crime scene. He noted that there were tire tracks at the site, of which three tires were identical and one was a markedly different pattern. He also took note that there were two different shoe patterns. Since the damage appeared to move from west to east, he drove into Brownsville and located a black pick-up on Main Street whose tires and width matched the imprints.

Further investigation revealed that Schwanbeck and Rohrerís shoes matched those that were found at the sight. Schwanbeck also turned over two radios that were stolen there.

According to the complaint, the two were driving back from the Houston Hoedown when they decided to take a short cut through Hwy. 3 and vandalize the area.

Schwanbeck and Rohrerís next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, February 4 at 11 a.m.

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