L’Observateur / April 21, 2000

NORCO – A $3,000 reward is being offered for information about recent incidents of vandalism in the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

Three separate businesses received damage during a two-day period to their heavy equipment operating in the spillway, digging river sand. According toLt. Dwayne LaGrange of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, damages runinto the thousands of dollars.

On April 12, a 1994 Hitachi excavator belonging to Chester’s Service Inc. of Montz was found submerged in a nearby canal of the spillway with its windows shattered.

The following day, a 1999 Caterpillar backhoe belonging to Ronald Adams Contractor Inc. of Thibodaux was found halfway submerged, with anotherbackhoe found on its side in a drainage ditch.

Additionally, a Gorman water pumper was found with severe mechanical damages, and a 1997 Komatsu bulldozer was found with damage to its ignition system and the bucket.

That same day a 1998 Caterpillar trackhoe belonging to Scioneaux Inc. ofReserve was found buried in the mud with its engine still running.

Michael Chester of Chester’s Service commented: “It wasn’t kids. Whoever itwas is pretty knowledgeable about all kinds of equipment. They mainly wantedto get it running and put it in the hole, though. They could’ve done a lot moredamage.”He estimated that the vandalism to his equipment totaled $15,000, mostly in water damage. He added, “It takes somebody who knows the equipment andis able to run all types. There just ain’t no telling.”Sheriff Greg C. Champagne added, “We hope that this reward will havesomeone step forward and give us more information about this incident.”Anyone with information to assist in the investigation is urged to call Detective Chad Robichaux at 443-0334 or 783-6807.

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