Worker scares away vandals, cleans graffiti from neighboring business

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- One downtown business was looking out for another when vandals attempted to deface a local restaurant.

On the night of Feb. 10, two men were seen spray painting obscene symbols and messages on the window of NuGrille by Logan McGear, an employee of a nearby business. McGear saw the car pull up but did not notice anything odd at first glance.

"I didn't think anything of it at first ... I look back over and the guys are spray painting on the windows," McGear said.

Upon seeing the act of vandalism taking place, McGear sprang into action. He ran outside to scare the two away and managed to record the license plate number of the vehicle they were driving.

"It all happened really fast and I just ran out the front door and stopped them ... I was just lucky to get the license plate number," McGear said.

After getting the license plate number, McGear quickly called the Fort Scott Police Department and gave his account of the incident.

NuGrille owner John Bowman said the men spray painted a swastika, the message "KKK rules," and a drawing of a penis. Knowing the symbols were inappropriate, McGear, along with fellow employee Jay Hunter, began to clean the windows after the FSPD left the scene.

"I saw what it said on the windows ... and I didn't want them to have to open up with that on their windows," McGear said. "I don't appreciated that kind of stuff on local businesses."

Although there have not been any arrests in relation to the vandalism, Bowman said the two men came into the NuGrille and apologized earlier this week.

The display of kindness has left a mark on Bowman. He said it is nice to know that he has a neighboring business that was so willing to help out and that if the situation ever arose, he would be happy to return the favor.

"It makes me feel real good," Bowman said. "It makes me want to hopefully help them out along the way."