The Pearsall Police Department says nothing was stolen, but the suspect is facing criminal mischief and criminal trespass charges.
PEARSALL, Texas — Pearsall police are investigating a weekend break-in at a local preschool that left classrooms damaged and surveillance cameras destroyed.
The incident happened early Sunday morning, just before 3 a.m., at the Kids Are First Head Start program. Surveillance photos captured the suspect outside the facility before the break-in and inside an office.
“There were two windows that were broken,” said Lt. Nathaniel Ximenez with the Pearsall Police Department. “A fire extinguisher that was inside the building was discharged in the hallways between some of the classrooms.”
Police say the suspect also damaged two outdoor surveillance cameras and covered one inside camera with shaving cream. Despite the extensive mess, nothing was stolen.
Ximenez said the suspect is facing potential charges of criminal mischief and criminal trespass.
“We’ve identified a person of interest,” he said. “We still have to get them and talk to them.”
In a statement, the CEO of Kids Are First, which services children in Dimmit, Frio and Maverick counties, called the incident “deeply troubling,” noting that the facility serves low-income families through the federal Head Start program.
“Any damage to our facilities directly impacts the children and families who rely on these essential services,” the statement reads.
The CEO said cleanup took several days, but the center has since reopened.
“It’s a huge disruption,” Ximenez said. “I’m sure it causes a strain on the families that take their kids on a daily basis. They rely on that program so they can work.”
Police are urging anyone who sees suspicious activity near the center to contact the Pearsall Police Department at (830) 334-4169.