Community center, mailboxes damaged by stolen cars

Two cars were stolen Friday night, June 29, causing damage to the Crosslake Community Center and damaging mailboxes on Dagget Pine Road. Several cars were also damaged and items stolen in connection with the vandalism, Police Chief Robert Hartman reported.

A gray pickup truck was reported stolen from the Wharf early Saturday morning, July 30. The police found the truck the next morning in the parking lot of Crosslake Free Church on County Road 66.

Several vehicles at the church were damaged with items stolen and another vehicle, a VW, was stolen from the lot.

The VW was found on Miller Road, and marks on the car were consistent with damage to mailboxes and the community center, a police incident report said.

The VW drove through the fence into the softball field at Crosslake Community Center Friday night, June 29. Jon Henke, parks and recreation director, reported significant damage to the park.

The car broke through the ball field fence in three locations and also ran into the bleachers, ran over two no-parking signs and three or four wooden road barricades set up for Crosslake's Day in the Park, which took place the following morning.

A window was broken on a concession stand set up for the event.

Henke said it was a scramble to get things back in order that morning for Day in the Park, but the event was still able to continue as planned.

Henke said he does not yet know the final cost of the damage. The city carries insurance for such instances, he said.

Hartman said that no arrests have been made in connection with the crimes, but that investigation is ongoing into possible suspects. Anyone with information should call the Crosslake Police Department at 218-692-2222.