WESTLAND, Mich. – A Westland home was vandalized to the tune of $20,000 by a group of boys who were caught on surveillance video returning to the scene multiple times.
Police want to talk to the group after an old farmhouse was vandalized. The barn outside the home sits alone at the end of North Farmington Road, and for about a year, groups of children have vandalized items on the property.
They have caused major damage, police said. Virtually every window of the home was busted, and classic vehicles were heavily damaged.
The homeowner is fighting back, saying he's desperate to identify the culprits. He said he had dreams for the property that were ruined because of the constant vandalism over the years.
"I just want to do something for families," the homeowner said. "I don't think families have enough to do out here. We own 11 acres, me and my family, and we want to do a cider mill and petting farm for the kids, where they come across the street ... and learn about animals."
The man said he doesn't want to be identified because he had a violent confrontation with one of the boys.
"It's impossible to stop this going on," he said. "They're destroying my barn."
Police said there are signs telling intruders to keep out. The children didn't see the surveillance cameras at first, but when they noticed them, they started wearing masks.
"To look at the house now, what they did to my dream, and all the work I did in the house, it's very, very frustrating, and it's disgusting," the homeowner said.
Police caught two of the boys involved in the vandalism, but they need help identifying the others in the surveillance footage. When the boys are caught, the property owner might sue their families to try to get back the estimated $20,000.
"I might be selling the property at this point," he said. "I've had this dream in my brain for over 20 years and it's a little bit hard, but it seems like right now I need to move on. It just seems like it's not working."
You can hear more from the homeowner in Jason Colthorp's full story posted above.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600 or Detective Buckley at 734-467-3194.
You can see pictures of the children below.
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