The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) is asking for the public’s help to identify three suspects who broke into the Seagle Building and caused over $10,000 in damage.
The incident happened Oct. 11 around 1:30 a.m., and GPD released footage (see below) Tuesday to get public help.
According to the GPD, the suspects made their way to the roof and turned on a water hose. The water began flowing into the building, through a ceiling and into fire alarms. The water caused a short in the alarms that sent an alert to the alarm company, the report said.
The department is asking for anyone with information about the suspects to reach out. Either by contacting Detective Bunevich (352-393-7662 or bunevichaj@cityofgainesville.org) or anonymously submitting tips online at www.stopcrime.tv.
The Seagle Building is currently under renovations following the purchase of the bottom six stories by Trimark Properties. The company began renovating office spaces and hoped to open a food option on the ground floor.
Construction started on the building, Gainesville first skyscraper, in 1925 before hitting delays in the Great Depression. UF eventually opened the Seagle Building following a donation by Georgia Seagle.
The City Commission approved $95,000 in grant funding last week for the work on the building. Trimark Properties already repainted the facade, replaced old windows and brought out historic elements. John Fleming, managing partner with Trimark Properties, told the City Commission that the new funds will help install a canopy in front.
Mainstreet spoke with Fleming last year about the renovations. Find the full story here.
Just a group of misguided youth. Instead of pointing fingers at them, how about point them at the leadership here. If leadership is absent; then people will not have any structure. So this is the government needing to punish itself.