Cape Coral teen rearrested, accused of arson and vandalism at Pelican Baseball Complex

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Preston Witten, 16, has been rearrested in Cape Coral after being accused of causing extensive damage at the Pelican Baseball Complex, including arson and vandalism, which left visible smoke damage and burn marks.

Larry Metro, a Cape Coral resident, expressed his frustration, calling it "pointless, pointless vandalism."

"Find something better to do with your time," he added. "The damage they did to that affects a lot of people, the baseball kids, the park kids and everything. It's very unfortunate."

The Cape Coral Police Department reported that on Dec. 5, park staff discovered the first in a series of arson and vandalism incidents. The unlocked restrooms were trashed days before the fire, with graffiti sprayed on the walls and cleaning chemicals stolen and poured across floors and walls.

Surveillance video from Dec. 3 captured the suspects, including one girl and two boys, near the restrooms.

"These aren't just kids messing around, it's kids creating massive damage for community members within our parks," said Mercedes Simonds, public affairs officer for the Cape Coral Police Department. She also noted that Witten was accused of writing "Preston was here" on the wall inside the Pelican Ball Complex restroom.

Witten was previously arrested in December, alongside Kryzalynn McClenithan, for several charges of arson, accused of setting fires inside the restrooms and burning an American flag and books in the playground, a picnic table at the park, as well as a T-shirt and a sign at Cape Christian Church on Dec. 10 and 11.

"I hope they get it fixed," Metro said. "Then these kids learn their lesson and maybe take a different path in life, find something constructive to do."

The city has been contacted for updates on when repairs to the bathrooms at the Pelican Baseball Complex will be completed.

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