Police are currently investigating to see if the latest rash of illegal artistic expression in town and on the Appalachian State University campus is related to early defamations of property that took place at Horn in the West this winter.
On Monday, the Boone Police Department received a report that during the weekend, several parking meters, trash cans and street signs on West King Street were inscribed with the phrase “Draba.” There was one street sign damaged with what appears to be an “A,” with a circle almost completely around it, written in gold, said police.
Social media sites have made references by students to the word defaming property around the campus of Appalachian State University, as well.
ASU Police reports that numerous outdoor locations and inside public restrooms throughout campus were vandalized.
Authorities are unsure what exactly “Draba” is in reference to, but are currently working a possible lead on the case at this time.
In February, the Daniel Boone Park — the town-owned property that is home to the outdoor drama “Horn in the West” and the Watauga County Farmer’s Market — was vandalized with extensive graffiti and other property damage.
In that incident, $3,000 in damage was reported from the use of spray paint.
Police arrested and charged an ASU freshman shortly after the graffiti was discovered. He received two felony and two misdemeanor charges for his alleged role.
A few days later, detectives located additional vandalized properties and made more arrests. Property at Brookshire Park, the town of Boone Winklers Creek water intake and Carroll Companies allegedly sustained vandalism by the arrestees, according to police.
Authorities are uncertain if the vandalism on campus is related to the earlier incidents and suspects.
“We have a Crime Stopper tip that we are following up, but nothing concrete,” Capt. Andy Le Beau of the Boone Police Department said.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (828) 268-6959, (828) 737-0125 or the Boone Police Department at (828) 268-6900. Persons may also submit a Crime Stoppers tip via the website at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1251 or text “NCTIP plus your tip” to 274637 (CRIMES). All information will be kept confidential.
High Country Crime Stoppers pays rewards for information which leads to arrests; recovery of stolen property; seizure of drugs; and the location of wanted persons.
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(1) comment
Funny, when I saw the photo of the trash can I thought it said TRASH in the graffiti!
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