Library, School and Churches Suffer Vandalism and Thefts

By Patric Hedlund
The public is being asked to assist law enforcement with tips and information regarding a cluster of local break-in burglaries.
Lead Deputy Doug Jauch of the Kern County Sheriff’s Frazier Park substation says he feels certain that evidence at the scenes “will show that many of them are connected.”

The Kern County Branch Library on Mt. Pinos Way in Frazier Park was broken into at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9, branch supervisor Theresa Becker said in an interview. A sum of $71.60 was taken from the cash register, which also spit out a timestamped receipt, confirming the 3 a.m. theft. A computer hard drive was also taken.

The Pentecostal Church on Park Drive had a router, a drive and other equipment taken, according to church member Marco Bucio, who was interviewed at the church while painting and cleaning up after the break-in. Windows were broken in the church a few days later.

Computer and communication gear was also taken from the Frazier Park School, along with keys. A break-in also occurred at the Vineyard Church on San Carlos Trail.

In several instances refrigerators and freezers were raided.

“The tagging was a swastika written in pen on the principal’s office dry erase board and on a window. The letters ‘WWSP’ were also written on the inside of the principal’s office door. A variety of physical evidence has been collected from the various scenes, including fingerprints and other items,” Deputy Jauch said.

Library supervisor Becker said that the Kern County Library information technology staff has assured her that there is no patron information on the stolen hard drive, and that identity theft would not be possible using the device, which may not function outside the network it was designed to serve.

Over at the Pentecostal Church, Bucio spoke while cleaning up the damage, “We are working hard to make a place where people feel welcome. There are enough troubles in the world; I believe in the sanctity of the church building. This remains a peaceful sanctuary and a place of rest.”

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Department at 661-861-3110, or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040, or to text an anonymous crime tip to TIP411 (847411). When texting, be sure to type “KCSO” prior to the tip information.

This is part of the August 19, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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