Boys, 11 & 13, Charged With $100K Trolley Museum Damage

SOUTH ELGIN, IL — An official at a South Elgin museum is thanking members of the community for their support after two boys, ages 11 and 13, are accused of causing more than $100,000 worth of damage to the property. Jeff Bennett, chief car officer for the Fox River Trolley Museum, said in a GoFundMe page update that the burglary and vandalism were discovered at the museum on July 7, when the two boys "tunneled under the barn wall" and damaged all seven cars inside the barn (pictured).

"As we barely hang on financially, we are at a loss for means to repair the excessive amount of damage," Bennett said on the GoFundMe page made for museum repair help. "The only thing more broken than the windows damaged inside our Museum barn, were our hearts!"

According to Bennett, the burglary case is still in the hands of juvenile court officials.

The 11-year-old and 13-year-old have been charged with one count each of burglary and criminal damage to property, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Just over $1,500 of the museum's $110,000 repair goal has been raised since Monday, July 16.

Photos via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner