Captain Brian Quinn of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division said today that detectives continue to follow leads and the reward from the sheriff’s office has been bumped to $3,000 with Wright Brothers Construction Co. matching the sheriff’s office reward.
Initially, the sheriff’s office authorized a reward of $1,500 with Wright Bros. matching that figure, then increasing the incentive earlier today, according to Quinn.
Vandals entered the site of the Cleveland Municipal Airport and used a track-hoe to damage several pieces of equipment owned by Wright Bros. and a sub-contractor.
The site of the new facility is located on Michigan Avenue Road and is just outside the city limits of Cleveland.
The incident occurred during a rainy Tuesday morning and as construction workers and operators arrived to work that morning, they discovered the equipment suffered an estimated $100,000 damage.
Investigators, through poring over information and monitoring equipment, were able to determine the act took approximately five minutes.
Sheriff Jim Ruth and Quinn initially authorized the reward of $1,500. Wright Bros. matched that offering.
When deputies and detectives arrived on the scene, a bulldozer was partially overturned. The D8 Caterpillar dozer belonged to a subcontractor.
The cab of dump truck was crushed and other equipment also damaged during the process.
“Any information from the public which could help investigators would be greatly appreciated and hopefully, our detectives will be able to solve this crime quickly,” said Ruth on Wednesday.
Quinn added today that detectives are aggressively pursuing leads and are expected to continue to work hard throughout the day today, following those leads and questioning suspects.
Investigators have not given any indication regarding a motive for the vandalism.
Anyone with information about this crime should call the BCSO Crime Tip Hotline, 728-7336, as soon as possible.
The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office will determine the amount of reward that is paid based on the value of the information in solving the case, according to Gault.
Wright Brothers Construction Company of Charleston is the general contractor for the first two phases of the airport’s development.
Phase I has been completed and the second phase has begun. Wright Brothers was awarded the Phase II contract during a recent meeting of the Cleveland Airport Authority.
