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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 3, 2006 Siskiyou County sheriff�s deputy Mark McDonald tapes off part of a logging road leading to a site where vandals damaged Hilltop Logging Co.�s equipment sometime over the weekend. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Vandals ruin logging business 'This was the work of professionals;' Siskiyou County authorities investigate By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune HILT, Calif. — Vandals who caused as much as $500,000 in damage to a small logging operation will cost about 20 families their livelihood, owners said. The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department on Monday was investigating the destruction of nine pieces of heavy machinery owned by Medford-based Hilltop Logging Inc. Co-owner Steve Avgeris said the crime ruined his business, which was logging a small parcel of private property about 10 miles west of Hilt. "This was the work of professionals," Avgeris said. "They came equipped with the right tools." Hilltop employees who arrived for work at about 5:30 a.m. Monday found that someone had poured dirt and debris in fuel tanks; cut hoses, lines and belts; and ripped out computer components in log loaders and tree-shearing and de-limbing machines, Avgeris said. The vandals apparently had master keys to the equipment, he added. "They knew what kind of equipment we had," Avgeris said. Advertisement Although initials of the Earth Liberation Front were scrawled on some of the machines, investigators said they did not consider the crime an act of eco-terrorism. "We really don't have any reason to be looking in that direction right now," said sheriff's Detective Dave Amaral. "It's not real consistent with what we've seen in the past," he said, declining to disclose additional details. Avgeris theorized the vandals could be trying to throw police off their trail, adding that even hunters may have committed the crime. "We molested a special spot for someone," Avgeris said. Hilltop had logged about 150 acres of pine and Douglas fir on remote land owned by Fruit Growers Supply Co., the supply and manufacturing affiliate of Sunkist Growers Inc. The logs were bound for lumber and plywood mills, Avgeris said. His company had contracted off and on with the landowner for about 23 years. Avgeris said he had never experienced such extensive vandalism. The vandals skipped over two other logging sites in the vicinity, Avgeris said, adding he had no reason to believe that anyone would specifically target his company. Hilltop was under contract to log the area through November, said Avgeris' wife, Cheri Avgeris. But the vandalism likely will halt the operation for the rest of the year, she said. Sheriff's investigators estimated the damage between $100,000 and $500,000. "They didn't just destroy some obscure business," she said. "They affected people's lives." Reports of vandalism at local logging sites are relatively rare, Amaral said, adding that he believed this was the Sheriff's Department's first such report this year. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing UK Homeowner Loans GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com