Nothing is wrong in America

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 06-01-2009, 07:27 PM

Vandals attack Manning farm

Damages could be as high as $500,000

By ANNABELLE ROBERTSON
Item Staff Writer
[email protected]

Vandals ravaged the property of a prominent farming family in Clarendon County early Saturday morning, and the damage could be as much as $500,000.

“It wasn’t just vandalism - it was extreme vandalism,” said Clarendon County Sheriff Randy Garrett. “In my 35 years in law enforcement, I have never seen anyone go to this extreme and do something this senseless, for no apparent reason.”

According to the incident report, the damage was discovered by Danny Hall, an employee of Scott Jackson Farms, which is located in the 600 block of Paxville Highway in Manning. Hall reported that when he arrived at the farm early Saturday morning, he noticed that three John Deere tractors had been damaged. One of the tractors is a model 9650 combine with an estimated value of $200,000.

The damage to the three tractors is estimated to be $335,000. It is so significant, Hall said, that repairs will likely be impossible.

Hall also reported that five tractor trailer-type trucks had been damaged by the tractors. Four had been struck on the front bumpers. One, a 1982 Mack truck, had also been “t-boned” by one of the tractors after being driven into a metal shed. It suffered a bent frame, among other damages, and was reported as a total loss.

In addition to the damage sustained to the tractors and trucks, several buildings were also damaged. A wooden horse barn appeared to have been struck at least twice on the front side by the combine, causing an estimated $40,000 in damage. A concrete-block house was also damaged by a tractor, after being driven through three walls, causing several thousand dollars in damage.

In addition, a wooden pole and a metal roof shed were destroyed after the Mack truck was driven into them. The back side of a large tractor shed was also damaged. It appeared that one of the pieces of equipment had been driven through two of the wooden support beams and a portion of the roof.

The police think that the crimes were committed by at least two individuals between midnight on Friday evening and daylight Saturday morning. Nothing was stolen. Damages, however, could be as high as $500,000.

Officials do not think that revenge motivated the vandals.

“We just think it was somebody’s sick idea of fun,” Garrett said. “There was nothing to gain — nothing. It was senseless. And this equipment is not cheap.”

An investigation has been launched. Anyone with information or tips is being asked to call the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department.

“These individuals are going to be found and prosecuted — there’s no question about it,” he added. “Somebody’s going to answer for it.”

This is near my home!

**laughingbeetle** · 06-01-2009, 07:35 PM

Hmmm... seems to me a couple of @##holes need to meet up with a good friend of mine... Mr Louisville Slugger. I hope those %@$#@^^& get caught!!

**Rick** · 06-01-2009, 07:36 PM

I think it's hard to point the finger at America over the senseless act of a few individuals. I can point out stupid things similar to that (perhaps not to that degree, though) since I was a kid. This generation doesn't have an exclusive on stupid. We had/have plenty of our own and my father's generation did too. I know, I had a couple of uncles in that category.

The local market wasn't bombed by a suicide bomber.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 06-01-2009, 07:59 PM

Your right Rick, This kinda thing is rampant here and it is upsetting to me. This is a little town and our murder per capita is 3rd in the nation. A few weeks ago the SOB's stole my riding lawnmower this came after I moved after realizing my neighborhood of 15 years was not so safe anymore. So I move and I have put up almost a mile of fence. I have more lock keys on my belt than mr. green jeans now. You can't stay home all the time and you worry when your gone! Perhaps it was always this bad I didn't used to read every blotter and headline that came out so maybe I was just blind to it. It really does seem to getting worse here.

**Rick** · 06-01-2009, 08:04 PM

I come from a small town as well and it seems like crime always increases when the economy is bad. Theft to me is a lot different than vandalism. The end result is still a loss but at least the guy that steals is doing it to turn a buck or gain someones decent lawn mower. You can (almost) understand the reasoning behind that. Vandalism is just senseless morons that should be forced to self eliminate their own gene pool.

"Here's the knife, start cuttin'!"
"But..."
"Wrong end. Try again."

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 06-01-2009, 08:16 PM

Do you recall hearing about the trick or treaters being shot down with an AK-47 in SC last halloween. I was standing in my old backyard when the shots were fired a rock throw away. This took place directly behind my old home.

http://www.theitem.com/article/20081...WS01/712289926

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 06-01-2009, 08:36 PM

OK I admit poor choice for a title of this post! I am as AMERICAN as you get. Please note that it says nothing wrong IN America. Really I didn't mean for it to sound if it was directed at America and what WE stand for.

**Rick** · 06-01-2009, 08:55 PM

No argument, really. It's just that folks read into things what they want and I wanted to clear that up. I think it was you that said misunderstandings take place where emotion and gestures can not be seen? Or some words to that effect?

I'm not satisfied, in my own mind, if we are seeing more violence or if the media is just better at reporting it. FBI statistics don't seem to indicate violent crime et al is expanding.

There was a time not all that long ago when a shooting in little town USA was never heard about in the next county unless your Uncle Charlie happened to be delivering a wagon of grain to the mill over there. Then the boys would hear about it. No one even raised an eyebrow if someone were shot stealing a horse. Just the natural law of things. Today, if a shot gets fired in little town, USA they read about it in Siberia and Tanzania. (shrug)