Ryan Woodard, Journal staff | Posted: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 11:00 pm
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RAPID CITY - Reptile Gardens and other businesses that were
apparently struck by billboard vandals last week are teaming up to
offer an award to whoever can help catch the perpetrators.
"We are going to be offering a five thousand dollar reward for
any information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for
the vandalisms," Reptile Gardens public relations director John
Brockelsby said.
The vandalism was done to 13 signs along the westbound lane of
Interstate 90 between Ellsworth Air Force Base and New Underwood
from mile marker 71 to 82, according to Brockelsby. He said the
damage was done Thursday night.
Other affected businesses include Hart Ranch, Happy Holiday
Resort, Bear Country USA and Rushmore Shadows Resort. Brockelsby
didn't specify which businesses would be contributing to the
reward.
The damage to the signs varied, but most of it involved the
signs' vinyl covering. On some signs the vinyl was slashed a few
times and on others it was ripped completely apart.
On several signs either part or all of the words indicating
"Exit 61" as a way to get to the advertised business were partially
or completely ripped down, painted over or torn off.
"It was definitely an orchestrated event of vandalism. We'd
like to find out who was responsible for it," Brockelsby
said.
Reptile Gardens, which had four signs damaged, will have to
pay about $2,000 to $3,000 to get them fixed, Brockelsby
said.
Lt. Marty Graves of the Pennington County Sheriff's Office
said the matter is being investigated. However, he said there are
no leads or suspects yet.
Graves acknowledged the apparent similarities in the damage
done to the "Exit 61" parts of the signs, but said the sheriff's
office hasn't come to any conclusions yet.
"There seems to be some similarities there," he said. "We're
going to look at every different aspect of it and see if we can tie
it in and come up with a conclusion."
Anyone with any information that could assist the
investigation should call the Pennington County Sheriff's Office
investigation division at 394-6115.
