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Prescott Valley school district cancels classes as police search for suspect after apartment fire, school vandalism

Police believe the same person is responsible for three incidents in Prescott Valley.

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — In the past week, Prescott Valley has had an apartment building destroyed in a fire and a school vandalized with at least $60,000 worth of damage. Now, the town's police department believes the same person is responsible for both incidents.

Humbolt Unified School District cancelled school on Friday, April 5 for all of their schools after the string of crimes.

"While we are confident that students and staff were safe while in school on Thursday, April 4th, we understand and acknowledge the concerns that are circulating. Therefore, we wish to exercise extreme caution," the district said in a statement.

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Prescott Valley Police Chief Bob Ticer took to Facebook on Thursday following the latest occurrence in what police say are connected incidents.

April 4, 2024: PVPD Asks Public’s Help to Identify Suspect Involved in Criminal Damage Incidents

April 4, 2024: PVPD Asks Public’s Help to Identify Suspect Involved in Criminal Damage Incidents Please follow Prescott Valley Police Department Facebook for official, ongoing updates. View the News Release here: www.prescottvalley-az.gov/1553 A TIP LINE has been established at the Prescott Valley Police Department which will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the suspect or suspects of these crimes have been brought to justice. The phone number to the tip line is 928-772-5666. The community can also send in tips to Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232. There is also a public portal that has been made available where community members can send and upload videos and photos to the Joint Law Enforcement Task Force that will assist law enforcement investigators to identify the suspect or suspects. The portal can be accessed via: https://pvaz.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/pv-24-002019 Thank you for your assistance and helping keep Prescott Valley safe. Prescott Valley Police Department can be contacted at (928) 772-9267 for non-emergencies, and 911 for emergencies. Yavapai Silent Witness is 1-800-932-3232. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING! Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrescottValleyPD or @prescottvalleypd Twitter: www.twitter.com/PolicePV or @policepv Instagram: www.instagram.com/prescottvalleypolice or @prescottvalleypolice Silent Witness: www.yavapaisw.com or www.p3tips.com

Posted by Prescott Valley Police Department on Thursday, April 4, 2024

In the post, Ticer said the town has had "major impacts from criminal activity," and stressed how urgent it is that the person responsible be stopped.

“This person that we are looking for has done major damage, he is brazen and we need to be very concerned about him,” said Ticer.

Here is a timeline of events:

Sometime between the mornings of March 29 and March 31, Bradshaw Mountain High School was vandalized. Police said the campus suffered around $60,000 worth of damage. Images of the person were caught on security cameras.

They were wearing all-black clothing, a face or gas mask, gloves and boots. They were also wearing what appeared to be a headlamp and a Go-Pro-style camera.

MEDIA RELEASE April 1, 2024 PRESCOTT VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSON OF INTEREST The Prescott Valley Police Department...

Posted by Prescott Valley Police Department on Monday, April 1, 2024

On April 1, the Legado Luxury Apartments, located on Main Street, burned to the ground, resulting in $60 million in property damage, according to police.

Then on April 4, the school, located on East Long Look Drive, was targeted again.

Police responded to an alarm at the school. When police responded, they found that the school had been breached by an unknown suspect with additional criminal damage was done to the campus. Investigators found fresh paint at the scene and several damaged interior rooms.

After the damage to the school on April 4, the Humboldt Unified School District  made the decision to cancel classes for April 5.

Dear HUSD Families, Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel school on Friday, April 5th, for all...

Posted by Humboldt Unified School District on Thursday, April 4, 2024

Police are asking members of the community who live in the areas these incidents occurred to look at their home security footage for anything that might help with the investigation.

A task force has been set up to investigate the three incidents.

A tip line as been set up and will be monitored 24 hours a day. The phone number to the tip line is 928-772-5666. The community can also send in tips to Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.

A portal to submit video to police has also been set up. That portal can be accessed using this link: https://pvaz.evidence.com/.../communi.../public/pv-24-002019

This is a developing story; additional details will be added as they become available.

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