Ansonia police are looking on posts on Facebook regarding the vandalism at Nolan Field to determine whether they are legitimate leads in the investigation or just wild rumors.
A vehicle of some kind caused an estimated $15,000 to the field by driving on the grass and leaving deep tire marks behind. Ansonia police received a complaint about the damage at about 6 a.m. Tuesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made. The story was first reported by WTNH.
“We have a few leads and we’re following some of the information that has popped up on websites,” Lt. Andrew Cota said.
“It appears, by some of the comments, that people know who the person might be. So we’re trying to track down the name of the person who was supposedly there and posted pictures on Facebook,” Cota said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Ansonia Police Department with information. The number is (203) 735‑1885.
Part of the problem is that people are posting assertions on social media, but not calling police with that same information.
“We have not received a single call from anyone providing us information,” Cota said. “We’re going to the web sites, seeing what people are saying and we look into it. What starts as a rumor sometimes quickly becomes fact. We’re trying to track down anyone who can give us the name of the person responsible.”
A rumor circulating on Facebook indicate a person somehow connected to and angry at the Ansonia football program vandalized the football field.
“I’ve heard someone had a problem because they got kicked off the football team and they were getting even,” Cota said. “And I’ve heard there was some type of argument recently that caused this person to go up there and do damage. I don’t know if any of that is true, but it is what is being put out there and we are following up on everything.”
Police said Wednesday the gates to the field are usually locked.
“I don’t know how this gate was left open, why it was left open, I don’t know if the lock was broken,” Cota said.
The field itself is owned by the city.
Police also said they’re not certain an ATV is responsible for the damage.
“I have heard it was either a small vehicle or an ATV,” Cota said.
