Vandals hit coop in Monroe County

Authorities in Monroe County are working on a costly vandalism case at Chariton Valley Rural Electric Co-op. Monroe County deputy Scott Dunning says the power company discovered a break-in at the coop’s garage in Albia. Three vehicles were started up and driven through the garage doors, damaging the vehicles, the overhead doors and the building. Once outside the garage, the vandals apparently drove the vehicles through fields and residential yards, and damaged property including signs and fire hydrants. They were work vehicles belonging to Chariton Valley R-E-C, one a dump truck, one “bucket truck” with extendable arm and one a pickup truck — and he adds all are being checked over by mechanics to make sure they can still be safely operated. The power co-op’s manager is quoted as saying at least one of the vehicles has been completely totaled. The investigator won’t give details of the case but says suspects have been identified. Two juveniles have been questioned and charges are pending. Dunning says the juveniles are local, from around the Albia area, but he won’t say whether they were old enough to drive legally. Early estimates put the damage to vehicles and buildings at a 250-thousand dollars.