TYLER, Texas — The Tyler Police Department is investigating after windows were smashed at a two downtown Tyler businesses.
According to Tyler police, just before 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, officers responded to reports of suspicious property conditions at the recently opened Andy's Frozen Custard location at the Plaza Tower. According to the Det. Andy Erbaugh, around 1 a.m., two white males on scooters shattered the windows of Andy's with rocks. He said the crime was unrelated to protests earlier in the evening.
Andy's released the following statement in regards to the damage:
As we have posted on Facebook, don’t worry about us. Windows can be replaced. We have always been about loving people and giving them a reason to come together. A few broken windows do not change that. We love our city and love being a part of downtown!
We are not preoccupied with the who, what or why, although we know the Tyler Police Department is working to figure that out. Downtown is a beautiful place to work and connect with friends and family. That hasn’t changed.
The support on social media has been humbling. The overwhelmingly positive responses and comments feel undeserved but are reminders of why we love Tyler. We have so much hope for the future. Loving your neighbor means picking up the pieces together and helping each other continue in the good work set before each of us. That’s what we have seen extended to us today.
Our mission is to help friends and family come together so they can make good memories. Despite the damage, we’re open today, Thursday, June 4, and ready to serve! The windows are in the process of being fixed, but that doesn’t affect the frozen custard or the time enjoyed together as a community.
Galen and Lezlie Taylor
Owner/Operators
Andy’s Frozen Custard Tyler
About 20 minutes laters, police responded to Gentry Donuts, located at 1500 West Gentry Parkway, after a rock was used to smash the drive-thru window. According to the TPD, officers believe this crime occured after the donut shop closed at noon on Wednesday.
The owners tell CBS19, they got into work around 3:30 a.m. and found their window smashed and a rock inside the establishment. They say cases of energy drinks and juice were stolen, along with two cash registers that only had $5 inside. One person was caught on surveillance video. It is unknown if the crime is connected to the one that occurred at Andy's.
JUNE 4, 2020: Downtown vandalism
This is a developing story and CBS19 has a crew at the scene. We will update this article as more information becomes available.