Vandalism to grain elevator causes $30,000 in damage

ALVA, Okla. (AP) _ Investigators are trying to figure out who dumped 40,000 bushels of wheat out of an Ashley grain elevator earlier this week. <br/><br/>A vandal or vandals struck the northwestern Oklahoma

Saturday, July 17th 2004, 11:52 am

By: News On 6

ALVA, Okla. (AP) _ Investigators are trying to figure out who dumped 40,000 bushels of wheat out of an Ashley grain elevator earlier this week.

A vandal or vandals struck the northwestern Oklahoma facility late Sunday or early Monday, officials said.

``There's probably 500 to 600 bushels that will have to be cleaned thoroughly,'' Farmer's Coop employee Bert Avila said Thursday afternoon. ``It'll probably be a day and a half or two more before it's all cleaned up.''

The pressure from the weight of the wheat broke both large overhead doors.

The vandal or vandals broke out three panes of glass on a window near ground level on the elevator's north side to gain access.

Both main bins were opened, allowing the wheat to fill the lower portion of the elevator.

The Alfalfa County Sheriff's Office estimated a $30,000 total loss, with between 40,000-50,000 bushels dumped on the ground.