SPEARFISH (AP) - Vandals have broken off the hands and rifle from a Spearfish statue depicting a soldier in the Spanish-American War.
Police Lt. Boyd Dean tells the Black Hills Pioneer that the vandalism was reported last weekend. Parks, Recreation and Forestry Superintendent Keith Hepper says the damage estimate might reach $1,500.
That amount would make the crime a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $4,000 fine.
The statue is believed to date to 1900. The memorial has the names of several soldiers and the words, "In memory of Black Hills volunteers, Spanish-American War, 1898-1899."
