Bleacher seats taken from Schweiter Park; man arrested

BY STAN FINGER
The Wichita Eagle

WICHITA — A 31-year-old man was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Schweiter Park, suspected of removing bench seats from bleachers.

A person in the area of 900 South Chautauqua reported a "suspicious character" at the park at about 4:45 p.m., Capt. Darrell Atteberry said.

The caller reported that the man was unscrewing bench seats from the bleachers.

Officers responding to the call found and arrested the man, who was also wanted on a couple of warrants.

"He was taking the bleachers so he could later sell them for scrap," Atteberry said.

Several parks have been hit by thieves over recent months, he said — most likely so they could finance meth habits.

"As metal prices go up, so do the number of thefts," Atteberry said.

Check Kansas.com for updates.

Reach Stan Finger at 316-268-6437 or sfinger@wichitaeagle.com.