Temecula School Trashed By Vandals 'Focused On Destruction'

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula police and school officials are investigating a large act of vandalism that occurred on a local high school campus over the weekend. Three different areas were damaged in an apparent attempt to trash Temecula Valley High School on Sunday, officials report.

The Hungry Bear Cafeteria, a satellite snack bar, and the athletic area for the boys baseball team were all damaged, according to Temecula Valley Unified School District Spokeswoman Laura Boss. Video footage from the scene shows the baseball team's office in a complete state of disarray, with a window smashed in, boxes thrown about and desks overturned.

"The initial investigation reveals the intent was focused more on the destruction of property as opposed to theft," Boss said in an emailed statement to Patch. "We are still determining with the appropriate individuals if any property was taken."

A baseball team representative posted images from the scene, along with a plea for help via GoFundMe.

"Last night our 'field of dreams' was destroyed," Mandy Rayfield wrote on the crowdfunding website. "Vandals hit us hard. And we would appreciate any and all help... So much time, effort and money has been put into this program and is just destroyed. Needless to say with budget cuts it will be impossible to replace."

The vandalism happened sometime in the early morning hours Sunday and was discovered by school staff later that day, Boss told Patch. She said that officials are currently reviewing video surveillance from the school.

An estimate as to the cost of damage is still being calculated, but the school believes it will take about two weeks to make all of the necessary repairs.

Rayfield, meanwhile, is also asking for community support with replacing things like a "steal door, new lockers, big steal storage container, dry wall to be done in press box and locker room, used gator or three wheeled sand/bunker rake for the field or used golf cart," according to the GoFundMe site.

"TVHS administration will be working with the District's Risk Management and Maintenance and Operations departments to assess the damages and next steps," Boss said. "At this time, we need to ask for patience and time as we move through the investigation and damage assessment process."

Click here if you would like to donate to the baseball team's needs or to see if you offer any of the local services the organization needs to help make repairs.

— Main image via GoFundMe