By Jennifer Reeger

Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Someone shot out windshields and tires of several pieces of equipment owned by Unity Township earlier this month, causing at least $6,000 in damage.

The incident occurred on the evening of Nov. 15 or the early morning of Nov. 16, state police at Greensburg said.

The vandals damaged 10 vehicles or pieces of equipment at the township municipal building.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Michael O'Barto said the damage was noticed when township employees arrived for work that morning.

O'Barto said it appeared the vandals used a high-powered pellet or BB gun to do the damage.

The damaged equipment included high-lifts, mowers, a truck, a wood chipper and a tar kettle. Some had windshields shot out, others had bullet holes in the tires and one had a headlight shot out, O'Barto said.

The building's lawn was damaged.

“It looked like tire tracks from a truck went through the municipal building grassy areas,” O'Barto said.

The vehicles and equipment were all older — some 30 to 40 years old — and were parked under a roof that extends from the maintenance garage. All newer equipment is kept inside the garage, O'Barto said.

“In most municipalities you don't get rid of a lot of things that are 20, 30, 40 years old,” he said. “We do use them, but not this time of year.”

The township is working with its insurance carrier to get the necessary repairs made. O'Barto estimates the damage at $6,000 to $8,000.

“Our hope is the people who did this damage get caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” O'Barto said.

Township officials are getting price quotes on a fence and gate around the municipal property. The project could cost more than $20,000.

“We have been planning on doing so, and of course this incident happened, and it actually told us we need to move quickly,” O'Barto said.

Jennifer Reeger is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-836-6155 or jreeger@tribweb.com.

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