Nature Park Vandals Sought By Police

LAS CRUCES, NM – Police are searching for the person or individuals responsible in a series of vandalisms at Nature Park.

The incidents have occurred between Febuary 14 and July 9th of this year at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park located on Jornada Rd.

The vandalism hasresulted in60 feet of rock wall being knocked over, shade structures and bathrooms completely destroyed by being set on fire, and damage to plant life and other park property. Vandals also have used different caliber firearms to shoot out bathroom doors, a visitor’s sign-in box and entrance signs to the park.

According to police officials, the vandalism has resulted in thousands of dollars of damages. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $1,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for the vandalism. Members of the park’s executive board are in the process of raising money to supplement the Crime Stoppers reward.

Rink Somerday, an official at the park, expressed disappointment over recent events but declared the park will survive and school field trips will continue as planned. “We’re shocked and disappointed by this…we put something out there that’s nice, free to the public andwhere people can go to educate themselves and spend some time outside…it’s probably only a few people doing this, but we’re not down, we’re not out of the game, we will rebuild,” he said.

If you have any information regarding this crime, or any other crimes, you can call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 526-8000.

Donations can be mailed to:

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park

P.O. Box 891

Las Cruces, NM 88004