Folly Theater vandalism exceeds $600,000; alleged payoff claim ‘shocking’, CEO says
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- Vandalism at the 126-year-old Folly Theater caused more than $600,000 in damage.
- Mohr allegedly told detectives he and others were paid $500 each, unproven.
- The Folly was closed for eight days; some equipment replaced as late as May.
The vandalism that trashed Kansas City’s 126-year-old Folly Theater last fall caused more than $600,000 in damage, the theater’s leadership said Monday, a higher estimate than the one cited in court documents.
Allegations that the suspects were paid $500 apiece are “shocking,” but unproven, said Rick Truman, president and CEO of the Folly Theater.
“What we know about the claims of being paid is that there hasn’t been any proof to substantiate that,” Truman said. “At this point, that’s hearsay. If it is true, it’s shocking, but I haven’t been given any information or evidence yet.”
If the allegation is true, Truman said he would want to know who ordered the vandalism is and why.
“I mean, why would they? Why would they want to do that to a building like the Folly?” he said. “It feels very personal.”
The allegation surfaced in court documents when the jackson County Prosecutor’s Office charged 19-year-old Logan Mohr of Independence with second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage, both felonies.
After his arrest in May, Mohr told detectives that he and two others were paid $500 each to enter the theater at 300 W. 12th St. and discharge fire extinguishers, according to court documents.
At the time, the estimated loss and damage from the vandalism was more than $500,000. Truman said on Monday that the loss and damage exceeded $600,000, of which around $500,000 was for cleaning alone.
All the damaged electronics had to be hand-cleaned by specialists due to toxic residue from the fire extinguishers. There was also the cost to replace a sound mixing board, a projector used for productions and six monitors in the lobby, Truman said.
That does not include the lost revenue from the weekend. Shows were booked in the theater on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“We were closed for a solid eight days while the cleaning crew did their work,” Truman said.
Shattered front door, fire extinguisher in the street
Early on Oct. 24, officers on patrol found a shattered front door to the theater and a fire extinguisher in the street surrounded by glass. The building’s fire alarm had been activated, according to court documents.
While searching to see if anyone was still inside, officers found about five or six fire extinguishers that had been discharged. Officers also found that vandals damaged or destroyed multiple monitors, TVs, and bottles of alcohol.
Detectives used a mix of surveillance video, license plate readers, police surveillance, witness video, phone location records and social media posts to identify Mohr and others as suspects.
According to court documents, detectives identified three suspects, including Mohr. The other suspects were juveniles, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The Office of the Juvenile Officer, which acts as a prosecutor for criminal charges brought against youths, has not filed any charges in connection with the vandalism, said Scott Lauck, spokesman for the office.
Personal attack on ‘living‘ cultural institution
Truman said he was “incredibly appreciative” of the Kansas City Police Department and called the vandalism an “unfortunate attack” on a Kansas City cultural institution.
“They have put a lot of time and effort into finding the vandals, and they have been persistent, which we greatly appreciate,” Truman said.
Truman said the Folly’s age and active role in the community made the break-in feel like a personal attack on a “living” cultural institution. As he understands it, similar fire-extinguisher vandalism and impromptu parties have become a trend in abandoned buildings. Still, the Folly is an active nonprofit venue, making the damage feel different.
“The fact that the police took this very seriously and wanted to find the people who perpetrated the crime, it just shows that there is a sense of community, a sense of value to what the Folly is and what the Folly’s history has been,” Truman said.
The investigation into whether anyone paid and gave the vandals instructions is ongoing, according to the prosecutor’s office. Truman said he doesn’t know who would have a vendetta against the Folly Theater, or why anyone would want to target it.
“That’s what I find so intriguing,” Truman said. “I don’t know anyone who has or who harbors any ill will against the Folly Theater. One of the things that we pride ourselves on is that no matter who you are or what your story is, you should find yourself represented by art that’s happening within our building.”
Truman said they work hard to be a community resource so everyone feels welcome there. “To think that somebody had a personal vendetta against that is just shocking.”
The vandalism occurred when “Dog Man: The Musical” was scheduled to be performed that weekend. The theater was able to reschedule two of the three shows on a Sunday in February.
Truman said they were able to occupy the building by Nov. 1, but some equipment was not replaced until as late as May. They were able to operate without those pieces.
Truman said they have upgraded to a more robust security system since the vandalism. They’ve secured perimeter doors, added cameras, electronic door alarms and a full security system. He said they don’t expect it to happen again.
