Police: Windows Shattered, Items Stolen From Vehicles Of Villanova Football Players, Staff At Stadium
By Walt Hunter
VILLANOVA, Pa., (CBS) -- When Villanova University's football team returned from its season opener at the University of Connecticut, players and staff discovered, while they were away, vandals had taken the "offensive" against them, back at their home stadium on the Main Line.
Radnor Police say 15 vehicles had their windows broken out or shattered after they were left, police say, by players and staff at Villanova Stadium on Lancaster Avenue as the team headed north.
"This particular lot, and the cars that were parked in this lot, were for the football players of Villanova," explained Radnor detective Jim Santoliquito to CBS 3's Walt Hunter.
"They were away at a game, they had left the night before."
Detective Santoliquito says in addition to thousands in damage, a number of items were stolen from team members' car by the suspect or suspects. So far, police have no description of the vandals who struck overnight on September 2 into the early morning hours of September 3 in the lot adjoining the east end of the stadium.
"They did a lot of damage, very extensive," Detective Santoliquito stated.
"It's going to cost a lot of money to fix those cars."
Police say it appears the vandals deliberately singled out the team's vehicles, not damaging any others in nearby university lots or neighborhoods. But for now the motive remains a mystery.
"Villanova Public Safety checked all their other lots, there was not any damage done to any other vehicles or cars in any other parking lots on the property," Detective Santoliquito stated.
"We did not get any reports from residents of surrounding neighborhoods that their vehicles had been broken into, so it appears those cars were targeted that night."
Villanova University officials referred CSB 3 inquiries to Radnor Police who are conducting the investigation.
Radnor Police ask anyone seeing suspicious activity near the stadium on the evening of September 2 or overnight into September 3 to contact them with information at 610-688-0503.
