CAMARILLO : Church Construction Site Is Vandalized

Vandals caused an estimated $20,000 in damage over the weekend to a Camarillo Catholic church under construction when they started up construction equipment, drove it into the structure’s walls and trashed a vehicle belonging to the contractor, authorities said.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers and the city of Camarillo each are offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects, said Detective Daniel Place of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

“More than likely, these were juveniles or young male adults who were probably intoxicated,” Place said. “And often, these folks like to brag to their friends about it, so we’re hoping for some information this way.”

Place said there were no witnesses to the vandalism at the church on Upland Road in northern Camarillo.

The vandals drove one of two small loading trucks into the river bottom below the seminary and left it there, Place said. They also parked a scissors lift--an accordion-like elevating platform--on stairs in the uncompleted church.

The other scissors lift was left mired in mud, Place said. They also broke the windshield and both windows and headlights of a construction truck on the site, Place said.

To report any information, contact Crime Stoppers at 388-8255. Callers may remain anonymous.