Vandalism suspects to be interviewed
Published 10:32 pm Tuesday, March 8, 2016
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department will interview suspects of vandalism at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park this week.
Park worker John Green reported the damages on March 6 in a report filed with the sheriff’s department. Capt. Mike Granthum said he and his team have been working on getting to the bottom of what happened.
“Green filed a report saying seven windows, two doors and two wooden benches were damaged at Old Cahawba Park,” Granthum said.
Granthum said at the time of the report, Green said he had an idea of who was behind the vandalism.
The sheriff’s department did a general investigation questioning campers and property owners in the area at the time to see if they had any idea of possible suspects. None of them were found suspicious.
“They gave some names of the people who were down there at the time. Contact was made with them, but since then we have learned through Crime Stoppers that it was possibly some juveniles who that are responsible for the damage,” Granthum said.
He said they now have four juvenile men and women who they have started to schedule interviews with as early as Wednesday. Granthum said a tip he received on why the juveniles were seen as suspects was due to social media posts they have made.
“We’re going to try to see what kind of information we can get from them. There are four at this time, but there could possibly be more,” Granthum said.
He said if a probable cause is found to make an arrest after interviews, the suspects will be charged.
“Whoever is responsible for it, we are going to hold them fully accountable. We’ve made contact with the historical commission and are keeping them updated with where we are at on the investigation,” Granthum said.
Alabama Historical Commission marketing and public relations manager Jacqulyn Kirkland said they are not speaking on the issue due to lack of information.
“We are not sure. We don’t have all of the information right now.
“We are just still trying to get some information,” Kirkland said.
She said she is working with the park site director Linda Derry to get more information. Derry will not speak on the vandalism situation either. She said her boss Lisa Jones, who is the executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission, has advised her not to talk about it.