SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Railway Museum of San Angelo is dealing with damage caused by vandals last weekend.
According to a Railway Museum press release, museum employees discovered a shattered window on the door of the outdoor historical Santa Fe Railroad caboose. The damage appeared to be intentional and possibly an attempt at breaking and entering.
In addition, on Monday morning, Board President Suzanna Valenzuela received a call from a neighbor stating the mini caboose located at the corner of Chadbourne and Hardeman Pass had been knocked over.
When Valenzuela arrived at the scene, she found the destruction caused to not only the mini caboose signage but presumably to the culprit’s vehicle.
"Apparently, someone drove off the Chadbourne Street path headed south and struck a tree and the caboose, severely damaging the caboose and dragging it about 15 feet away from its original location," the press release read.
Tire marks, pieces of the vehicle’s bumper, and an oil spill were uncovered. The San Angelo Police Department has been notified for both incidents and thorough investigations are currently in progress.
The press release went on to ask for the community's assistance:
"What’s next? These two unexpected disasters taking place in the same weekend has put the Railway Museum of San Angelo in an adverse financial position. The broken window must be replaced, and the mini caboose may be beyond repairs or cost a pretty penny to restore. The Railway Museum will have additional surveillance mounted around the property to capture future trespassing activity. If you or someone you know has any leading information, please contact the San Angelo Police Department Anonymous Tip line: 325-658-HELP / 325-658-4357. If you would like to help the museum with repairs, donations are always welcomed."