Cape Girardeau man charged in office vandalism

Cape Girardeau police arrested Friday a man accused of causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to a Cape Girardeau office building.

Travis Fornkohl of Cape Girardeau is accused in an act of vandalism at an office building at 3065 Williams St. Fornkohl was arrested Friday morning and has been charged with second-degree burglary and property damage, according to Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

On the night of June 30, Fornkohl allegedly opened a water valve at the top story of the six-story building, which houses federal offices, doctors' offices and other businesses. Investigators initially thought the leak was an accident, but evidence later led them to believe the leak was malicious. Damage was reported on all six floors.

Travis Fornkohl

"The damage is very extensive," said Nicole Marvel, administrative assistant at MedStop One, on the first floor of Drury Southwest's Auburn Park Place.

Marvel said the carpet and cabinets will have to be replaced. The drywall will have to be dried to prevent molding, she said, and portions of it might have to be replaced.

Brian McCallister, general manager of ServPro of Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties, said his agency has been working on drying and cleaning the building since July 1. McCallister said at least six businesses and agencies have been substantially affected. Drury Southwest is managing necessary reconstruction, McCallister said.

"The water pulls along debris as it travels downward, so you have the dual problem of collecting water and damaging debris," McCallister said.

McCallister said all businesses and agencies are scheduled to be operational by Monday.

"We're currently going through the leases and working with the businesses, agencies and insurance companies to get repairs completed as quickly as possible," said Larry Westrich, vice president of Drury Southwest.

Westrich said he thought the $500,000 figure quoted previously may be high, although he said the damage would still be easily in the six-figure range.

Fornkohl is being held on $20,000 bond.

rovermann@semissourian.com

388-3688

Pertinent address:

3065 Williams St., Cape Girardeau, MO