Vandals attack Manning farm

Damages could be as high as $500,000

By ANNABELLE ROBERTSON
Item Staff Writer
arobertson@theitem.com

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.”



Contact Staff Writer Annabelle Robertson at arobertson@theitem.com or (803) 774-1250.