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DRAPER -- Earlier this week, someone broke out windows at a Draper business, but the criminal didn't actually go in to take anything.
Police think the vandal just wanted to cause damage to the Draper Historic Theatre, and there's plenty of it.
Tuesday morning, sometime between midnight and 4:00, someone decided the theater would be a good place to do a little batting practice.
"All of the windows and doors had been broken out with a baseball bat," says Michele Rideout, a member of the theater's board of directors.
Now the 72-year-old theater is covered in plywood, and those who serve on its board of directors aren't sure how they're going to get it fixed. The insurance company says vandalism isn't covered.
"We were already in a difficult situation prior to the vandalism, and now we're trying to figure out how we're going to come up with roughly $10,000 to repair the damage," Rideout says.
But here's the strange part, the part no one can figure out: Whoever broke the windows didn't come into the building. Even though there are cash registers, computers, and other items that could have been stolen, the criminal just broke windows and ran away.
"Their intention was simply to cause damage and destruction, and they succeeded in that," Rideout says.
"I don't know what the motive behind it was, but obviously this was a business that was targeted by this person," says Draper police Sgt. Chad Carpenter.
Investigators would also like to know if the criminal knew about the surveillance camera, which is maybe why they didn't go inside.
Whatever the reason, board members say the damage has to be fixed, and a planned rummage sale for funds will have to go towards the damage. They've already been paying the bills out of their own pockets.
"It's not just a building," Rideout says to the vandal. "You took it out on all the people who relied on this building."
Investigators say there is a person of interest in this case but no arrests have been made. They're hoping anyone with any information will give them a call at 801-840-4000.
As for the theater, performances will go on but it will be tougher than it was before.
If you would like to help the theatre, you can donate to the "Draper Historic Theatre" Donation Account"* at the Zions Bank in Draper.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
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*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
