Arrest made in vandalism, auto theft incidents

An 18-year-old Shawano male believed to be responsible for two auto thefts, graffiti vandalism incidents at two Shawano schools and five other complaints of criminal damage to property was taken into custody by Shawano police Tuesday.

The subject was said to be in custody but not yet charged.

Police Chief Dan Mauel said officers were still sorting through the information.

“The investigation is ongoing and there may be more incidents and possibly more people involved in some of them,” Mauel said.

The latest incident involved a vehicle that was reported stolen in the 1200 block of Birch Hill Lane and was found crashed into a tree in the 800 block of South Prospect Street around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Police believe the same subject was involved in an auto theft in the 1000 block of East Zingler Avenue that was reported around 9 a.m. Monday. That vehicle was later found on Riverbend Circle “almost in the water,” according to the police report.

Mauel said the 18-year-old was also taken into custody for his involvement in five other criminal damage to property incidents and two recent school graffiti incidents.

Graffiti that had been described by officials as racist and obscene was reported at Olga Brener Intermediate School in late July. Graffiti with similar types of messages was reported at Shawano Community High School on Aug. 7.

No further information was available Wednesday afternoon.