BEAVER DAM — Earlier this month, several locations in Beaver Dam saw burglary, theft, and vandalism including the holiday light display. Now the Beaver Dam rotary club is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information.
The Dodge County Sheriff's Office says on Wednesday, Dec. 4 and Thursday, Dec. 5, several businesses in Beaver Dam were targeted along with the City of Beaver Dam Rotary Lights.
People were out enjoying the displays Monday night in Swan Park after they had been fixed.
“I like to see all of the shiny lights,” said Kimberly Joles who was visiting the park.
“I like lights, it’s fun to look around. i like the gingerbread house,” said Hannah Gantner who was walking through the park.
The gingerbread house and the displays looked very different a little more than a week ago on December 5th. That is when the Dodge County Sheriff investigators said two people stole a golf cart and drove it into the lights and house causing thousands of dollars in damage.
According to a press release, "Soda machines located outside of Professional Floor Covering were stolen from and vandalized and golf carts were stolen from Wayland Academy. Habitat for Humanity Restore was burglarized and the Beaver Dam Rotary’s Christmas lights were vandalized at Swan Park."
“It’s a really nice display and these kids came through and basically destroyed it,” said Sheriff Dale Schmidt who is also the chair of the Beaver Dam Rotary Lights Committee.
Sheriff Schmidt said the park was not the only thing vandalized that night. People also burglarized the Habitat For Humanity Restore and stole from the soda machines at Professional Floor Covering and set them on fire. Plus, golf carts were stolen from Wayland Academy.
“It’s most likely the same individuals that we’re looking for that did all of this damage and chaos,” said Schmidt.
Despite all of the damage, the community worked to replace almost all the displays and get the park shining bright again.
“Nobody is going to come through our park, wreck our lights and ruin our Christmas spirit,” said Schmidt.
Additionally, a $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who comes forward with information no later than March 15, 2020. The tip must directly lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects, which must be confirmed and approved by the Beaver Dam Rotary Club Board following the conviction of the offenders.
They are also raising money to put in a surveillance system at the park.
If you want to help, you can make a check out to:
City of Beaver Dam C/O Rotary Lights
205 S. Lincoln Ave.
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
For more information on how you can help, click here.
