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Courtesy Photo | Facebook -
Ryan Dee Bergeron
Two days after the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears defeated the Splendora Wildcats, 55-9, two suspects vandalized LC-M’s newly renovated Battin’ Bear Stadium on Oct. 23. Days later, Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) deputies arrested two individuals thought responsible.
The suspects, identified as Ryan Dee Bergeron, 18, and Johnney Davis, used red and blue spray paint, the colors of the Lumberton High School, to deface the press box, field logo, away concession stand and a sign on the high school baseball field. Curse words were also spray-painted on the signs and buildings. Several paint cans were later found near the stadium.
The Bears travel to Lumberton on Friday, Oct. 29, for a key District 10-4A Division 1 contest which could determine seeding in the upcoming playoffs.
LC-M Consolidated Independent School District officials worked with OCSO to identify on surveillance video of two suspects, believed to be school-aged boys in hoodies. Spray painting on the press box occurred at 12:17 a.m., reported Superintendent Stacey Brister.
LC-M High School Principal Ryan DuBose posted a response to the vandalism on Facebook: “If there is anything that can be taken from this ugly situation, it’s the outpouring of help. I’ve been contacted by kids and staff from LC-M, Lumberton, BC (Bridge City), Orangefield and Vidor wanting to help. We are not narrowing it down to just one school in terms of who the guilty party is. We are working with law enforcement and will follow their lead with the investigation.”
In September 2022, new turf was installed at the stadium as part of a multi-million dollar upgrade.
DuBose urged persons to stay off the field while Hellas Construction brings in their turf crew to repair the damage.
LC-M CISD officials stated it could cost thousands to have the buildings repainted.
According to Mary Johnson, Lumberton ISD director of Communications and Community Relations, Superintendent Dr. Tony Tipton had been in contact with the superintendent and high school principal at LC-M and Lumberton ISD Athletic Director James Reyes had also been in contact with LC-M head coach and athletic director, Coach Eric Peevey.
“LISD condemns vandalism and hopes the perpetrators, whoever they turn out to be, are caught and held responsible,” wrote Johnson.
OCSO Sheriff Lane Mooney said investigators identified two suspects and obtained a confession of the crime from one of them on Monday, Oct. 24. A second suspect was located on Tuesday and arrested on an unrelated charge. Investigators were also able to obtain a confession from the second suspect later in the day on Tuesday, Mooney advised.
“After gathering all available evidence and presenting it to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, felony warrants were issued by Judge Courtney Arkeen for the two suspects responsible for the vandalism,” OCSO reported.
“One suspect is currently a student attending LCM high school. The second suspect is currently enrolled at Nederland ISD, but until recently was also a student at LCM high school. It is believed that the vandalism was committed in an attempt to stoke tensions and rivalry between LCM and Lumberton prior to the upcoming football game that will take place in Lumberton on Friday.”