APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Three arrests have been made and a fourth individual is being investigated in connection to a string of vandalism at construction sites in the Fox Valley, as well as fires that damaged elevators in two downtown Appleton parking ramps.
18-year-old Kevin H. Peterson and 17-year-old Brandon G.S. Fossum, both of Appleton, were arrested Wednesday morning, along with another juvenile. A second juvenile has not been arrested at this point, but is currently being investigated.
None of the individuals have been formally charged and since Outagamie County courts are closed because of the extreme cold weather, none of them appeared in court on Wednesday.
An investigation was prompted after fires damaged elevators in downtown Appleton’s Yellow and Green parking ramps earlier this month.
“It sounds like there may be some other cases that were involved as well that we haven’t completely connected to this as well,” says Officer Meghan Cash with the Appleton Police Department.
Then, extensive damage was discovered at a number of construction sites last week, including the Fox Cities Champion Center in Grand Chute, a house being built by Fox Valley Technical College students in Appleton and an apartment building in Little Chute.
“It appears that unknown individuals, at that time, utilized construction equipment,” explains Lieutenant Mark Wery with the Fox Valley Metro Police Department.
At this time, there is no clear motive.
Officers have shared that none of the individuals had any link to a construction company.
“There is no tie; it is a completely random act by these individuals,” says Wery “It was a group of young adults and juveniles who appeared to be bored and were looking for something to do.”
Damage estimates have not been made available.
