County vehicles damaged by vandal over weekend

Published 10:25 am Tuesday, January 3, 2017

The Austin Police Department kept busy over the holiday weekend by responding to a stolen package, damaged vehicles, an oven fire, a stolen table and a stolen SUV.

Here’s a rundown of some of the police reports from the New Year’s holiday weekend:

County vehicles damaged

Five Mower County vehicles sustained damage Saturday night when someone apparently struck them with a stick or bat.

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Austin police responded to the south side of the Austin Daily Herald parking lot, which is leased to the county, at 310 Second St. NE around 9:50 p.m.

They observed five vehicles with damaged windshields, some looking like they’d been struck with a bat or stick and others looking like they’d been struck by a brick or rock.

Police have no suspects at this time.

Package stolen

A woman reported a UPS package containing a $350 leather jacket was stolen from the porch of her 800 block 11th Avenue Southwest home around 3:19 p.m. Friday, according to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger.

The victim told police she heard the UPS truck stop and drop off the package with the leather jacket, but she had water going and couldn’t immediately get it.

When she went to the door, the package was gone. She checked with neighbors, but no one saw anything.

Police have no suspects at this time.

Police, fire department respond to small fire

Austin police and the Austin Fire Department helped put out a small oven fire around 11:54 p.m. Saturday on the 400 block of Third Street Southeast.

A burnt heating element sparked causing a small fire, but law enforcement was able to put out the fire and clear the scene by 12:05 a.m. Sunday.

The fire caused minimal damage, according to Krueger.

Antique table taken from garage

A homeowner in the 800 block of 12th Avenue Northwest reported Monday that an antique round, oak table was taken from a garage sometime between Dec. 26, 2016, and Jan. 1.

It’s unknown how entry was gained into the garage, and there are no suspects at this time.

Visitor has vehicle stolen

A 2003 black GMC Yukon was taken while its owner was visiting someone at the 1700 block of First Avenue Northeast.

The owner arrived at the residence around 7 p.m. and found the vehicle gone at about 8:40 p.m.

The owner had the keys and didn’t know how the SUV, which was parked on a residential street, was taken.

There are no suspects at this time.