Nails, screws scattered on State Highway 185, reward offered

SEADRIFT – Screws and nails scattered across a nearly two-mile stretch of State Highway 185 on Wednesday, Sept. 3, has led to a reward being offered for information that will lead to an arrest and conviction.

The C Dan Ranch is offering the reward for the Lane Road portion of the area. The nails and screws were scattered along the highway to Charlie’s Bait Camp on Lane Road.

Calhoun County Precinct 4 crews walked the roads with magnets and collected a 5-gallon bucket worth of screws and nails, old rusty ones, said Calhoun County Commissioner, Pct. 4, Gary Reese. The magnets are 24-inches on a wheeled base.

“We had a couple of guys walking the road that went the whole distance,” said Reese. “After they finished walking it, we did a very close visual inspection and brought out the power broom and swept the whole road.”

Reese said his foreman noticed that handfuls were thrown randomly and the screws and nails would scatter with each drop.

“Most of the problem was near Meadows Road and Charlie’s Bait Camp,” he said.

This is the second time in two years that screws and nails have been scattered along the roads, said Reese. He expressed concerns about the safety of residents who drove over the nails.

“They do not think of the consequences,” said Reese.

Anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office at 361-553-4646.

Sheriff Bobbie Vickery said the charges could range from criminal mischief to, possibly, illegal dumping. Charges could reach felony status depending on the amount of damage incurred.

“If you have knowledge of this, please let us know,” he said.