Urbana police are seeking the community’s help in solving multiple overnight crimes that resulted in heavy damage and a high value loss of property stemming from incidents that began at Taylor Maintenance, 518 Miami Street overnight.

Urbana police are continuing their investigation that resulted in theft of vehicles and multiple acts of felony vandalism to several heavy equipment vehicles and utility pieces at the facility, and to a next door business, All-Phase Electric.

An employee arriving to work at Taylor’s Maintenance after 3 a.m. discovered multiple pieces of equipment had been heavily damaged on the property, and at least two vehicles missing from the property.

Police found that an unknown person had gained access to a large front loader tractor and used it to create havoc at the business, by driving it around and using its bucket to smash into multiple vehicles and utility equipment.

Police also learned that at around 1:50 a.m., a caller to the 911 Dispatch Center had reported to the Champaign County Sheriff Department that a dump truck was observed doing doughnuts in a corn field located somewhere near the PAWS animal shelter on West U.S. 36, outside the city limits. A deputy checking the area could not locate the dump truck at that time of night. At 5 a.m. the crashed and abandoned truck was located in a farm field north of PAWS animal shelter in the 1500 block of West U.S. 36.

While searching the surrounding area of Taylor Maintenance, police discovered a stolen vehicle had been crashed into the west side entrance of All-Phase Electric, 600 Miami Street, and then abandoned. This crash resulted in heavy damage to the van and severe damage to an entrance to All-Phase.

Police have not set a total monetary loss for the damage caused, but expect it to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Police were able to develop and secure items of evidentiary value that they hope will lead them to the persons responsible for these crimes. Police know that at least four people were involved in the crimes but are needing help in positively identifying them.

Police are asking that anyone with information on these crimes or the four individuals responsible for them to notify them at 652-4350, or at the Tip-Line at 652-4357. Callers can remain anonymous.