BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Wise Recycling in Culpeper is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for vandalizing its Commerce Street site on New Year's Eve.

Twice that day, someone cut holes in a chain link fence and entered the reclamation yard near Mountain Run.

The first time, around 1 a.m., the intruder cut numerous telephone, electric and security wires and cables, inflicting thousands of dollars in damages, according to Jesse Wise, the firm's owner.

The intruder, again cutting a hole in the fence, came back that same night around 10 p.m., but this time Wise was waiting. Wise alerted police but the man apparently saw the owner and fled before officers arrived.

Damage to computers and scales was so extensive that Wise could not open Wednesday.

The intruder took nothing, Wise said.

The male suspect is described as being about 6 feet tall and wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers at 540/727-0300 or Detective Richard Brooking at 540/829-5504.

Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com