Burglary arrest made in Pittsburg Kansas

Burglary Arrest
Released by Lt. Rebekah Lynch
February 21, 2022

On February 19, 2022, officers with the Pittsburg Police Department were dispatched to Pittsburg High School, located at 1978 E. 4th Street, in reference to a burglary and criminal damage to the building. A school employee had arrived at the school around 6:40 a.m. and noticed water on the floor of the commons area. Police arrived on scene and discovered that a fire hose had been used to spray the walls and floors of the gymnasium, causing significant damages.

Review of surveillance footage during this investigation revealed the suspect, a white male with medium length brown hair and a beard, enter the school unlawfully. The suspect was wearing a gray hoodie, blue pants, and black rubber Croc style shoes. Surveillance footage from inside the high school captured the suspect taking items from the concessions area and using a water hose to spray areas inside the school. Prior to exiting the school, the suspect stole a pair of Danner brand shoes and left behind the Crocs he had been wearing.

At approximately 10:40 a.m. on this same date, a Pittsburg High School employee, who had observed video surveillance footage of the suspect, observed the suspect walking in downtown Pittsburg, wearing the same clothing he was wearing at the time of the burglary. The Pittsburg Police Department was notified and an officer stopped and detained the burglary suspect walking in the area of 4th Street and Locust Street. The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Shawn Allen Hoag, of Pittsburg. It was confirmed by police that Hoag was wearing the same clothing he was observed wearing in the surveillance footage, as well as, the Danner brand shoes stolen from the high school. Hoag was also found to be in possession of other property stolen from inside the high school.

Hoag, who had just been released on parole a few days earlier, was arrested without incident for aggravated burglary, felony criminal damage, misdemeanor theft, and criminal trespass. He was booked into the Crawford County Jail where he is being held in lieu of a $25,000.00 bond.

Beard-Shanks Law Enforcement Center
201 North Pine Street
Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
(620) 235-0400

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.