Members of the Stuart Town Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for vandalizing a caboose in downtown Stuart.
According to the discussion at the meeting and a report filed April 21 at the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, vandals broke 11 exterior windows.
Interior portions of the caboose also were damaged in the incident, according to the report.
A damage estimate was not immediately available.
Located on Commerce Street in downtown Stuart, the caboose was delivered in 2016 to commemorate the Danville & Western (Dick & Willie) Railroad that once came through town.
The 40,000-pound caboose also will become a centerpiece of the Mayo River Rail Trail.
The town has paid for restoration work that included exterior work, such as sandblasting and painting. Some of those costs were donated by individuals and/or businesses.
Town officials also have discussed future plans to renovate the interior by adding seating, lanterns, old photographs, and lights. They also plan to install a display video screen that will explain the Dick & Willie’s significance to Stuart.
Anyone with information about the vandalism incident is encouraged to call Patrick County Sheriff’s Investigator Tyler Wilson at (276) 694-3161.
