Police are looking for a cowboy hat-wearing suspect who sabotaged an estimated $1 million worth of product at a Washington winery.
The suspect was caught on video Nov. 22 at Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville, about 20 miles northeast of Seattle, opening up two 2,500-gallon tanks of white wine and emptying them on the warehouse floor.
The owners estimate the equivalent of 21,000 bottles of vintage wine was wasted, according to KIRO.
The suspect entered the winery through a side door using a coded keypad after employees had left for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to King County Sheriff's Office. The vandal was dressed in a poncho, wearing a cowboy hat and had their face covered, FOX13 reported.
The suspect headed for the cellar where surveillance cameras also caught them doing damage, according to King County Sheriff's Office. Video obtained by KING5 shows white wine gushing out of a steel tank and onto the floor of the winery.
The incident caused an estimated $600,000 in damages and the loss of nearly $1 million worth of product, Fox News reported.
The spill apparently wasn't discovered until days later when employees returned from the Thanksgiving break. In a statement to FOX13, the winery called the loss a "tough blow."
"[It] was timed to deliver maximum damage right as the holidays get under way. Our team has remained steadfast and focused in the face of this unimaginable crime. We remain committed to delivering superb wines to all our customers and are grateful for the extraordinary outpouring of support from our community of wineries, restaurants, retailers, and wine lovers," the statement said.
Investigators are still trying to identify the suspect.
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