Vandals hit Orchards business

Some of the broken light bulbs at Western Forest Systems.

Tools

Story Published: Jun 11, 2009 at 10:11 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jun 11, 2009 at 10:11 PM PDT

By Matt Loveless

Watch the video

LEWISTON - A local re-forestation business is now willing to pay for information about recent acts of vandalism.

The frustration is boiling over for owners and employees of Western Forest Systems, a business in the Lewiston Orchards. Since May 16, at least four times vandals have left their mark, tossing around paperwork and ripping out baby trees.

Forestry Manager Rich Schaefer said in one area alone about 80 light bulbs were broken, valued at $17 apiece

"Dumping materials out, bottles of bleach and hydrogen peroxide, dumping them, we don't know where," said Schaefer. "Unloading fire extinguishers inside company vehicles and throughout the premises, on the tops of trees and doing malicious injury."

Schaefer said in mid-May they found a fort built out of tree boxes in the corner of their property, and since that was taken down the vandals have made weekly appearances tearing the place apart.

The latest hit, which happened Tuesday night, took four hours to clean up Wednesday morning.

"We don't know who they are," said Schaefer. "We suspect they're probably teenagers, but we don't know that for sure either, until somebody comes forward and gives us a good tip so we can catch these guys."

"We've had some witnesses that have heard some of the damage taking place, actual witnesses that have identified suspects, we don't have any at this time," said Lewiston Police Department Detective Brian Birdsell.

Lewiston Police estimate the damage at about $10,000. Schaefer said he thinks it's more.

"Every time we get hit, it seems to be $2,000 to $3,000 to 4,000 dollars," said Schaefer.

Police urge anyone with information to call the secret tip line at (208) 748-2746.

Western Forestry Systems is offering a $1,000 dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals.

Current Weather

Current Temp 36.0 °F

Fair

More Weather

Current Weather

More Weather

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.