JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (KNX) — Eddy the Mammoth, an iconic statute overlooking the 60 Freeway in Jurupa Valley, was defaced by vandals Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
Jurupa Mountain Discovery Center Director Wes Andree told The San Bernardino Sun that vandals appeared to have thrown a rope over the statue, tied cans of paint to the ropes end, and pulled the rope up, splattering white paint over the mammoth's back.
Andree said a piece of rope was still "snagged" on the mammoth's back on Monday, and a paint can could be seen tied to the end and dangling about 10 feet off the ground.
"It seemed like someone was cleaning out their garage of paint and thought this was a great way of doing it," he added. "There are splatters everywhere. The whole area is a mess."
The JMDC is raising money to cover the cost of cosmetic repairs, which were estimated to be in the thousands of dollars. The statue will require pressure washing, and possibly a new coat of paint.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation into perpetrators. Anyone with information relating to the vandalism is asked to contact investigators at (951) 955-2600.
Related
