No leads yet in Fareway graffiti case

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - Rewards totaling more than $2,000 are still being offered for information leading to the arrest of those convicted of spraying the graffiti on the side of the Fareway Grocery building currently under construction.

Police Chief Tim Sittig said Tuesday that no tips or leads have been received regarding the incident.

During the overnight hours of June 29 and 30th someone spray painted an anti-police message on the building prompting a swift reaction from an anonymous donor who offered $1,000 to anyone providing information that leads the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.

Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer then offered to match the $1,000 reward plus contributed another $1,000 to the Fort Madison Police Department. Pen City Current will also be adding to the reward money.

In a show of support for the community and its newest business partner two Fort Madison police officers were joined by two Fort Madison Firefighters who went over to the new building and removed the graffiti two days after the incident.

Sittig said the crime is a simple misdemeanor, but if the message has legitimacy the perpetrators could be charged with terrorism, a felony which could result in up to a $7,500 fine and five years in prison.

Anyone having any information regarding this crime can contact Investigator Jack Gray of the Fort Madison Police Department at 319-372-2525 or Lee County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-382 8900.