Police: Pullman Standard building vandalized by Butler man and 2 juveniles
A 21-year-old man and two juveniles caused at least $76,000 in damage after breaking into the Pullman Standard office building Tuesday, Feb. 20, according to charges filed earlier this week.
Matthew J. Wade, of Butler, was charged Tuesday with felonies criminal mischief and criminal trespassing. The two male juveniles were not named in court documents.
City police said they believe the group vandalized the Hansen Avenue building. Police said a contractor working on the building reported finding air gun CO2 cartridges inside the Pullman building and suspected vandalism.
When officers arrived, they said they saw the contractor running along the outside of the building looking into the windows with a flashlight as if to follow someone inside.
Officers detained Wade and the two juveniles and took them into custody.
Police said a metal hammer and pump-action BB gun were found in Wade’s possession. One of the juveniles was discovered to have a CO2 air pistol and the other had a metal pry bar, the criminal complaint states.
The contractor told police the building was damaged on Monday and Tuesday night.
Documents showed broken windows would need replaced and would cost $26,000, and a stairwell with antique woodwork valued at $50,000 was also damaged.
Wade’s preliminary hearing is scheduled March 4 before District Judge William Fullerton.
What was known as Pullman Standard was originally the Standard Steel Car Works in Lyndora, founded in 1902. The company eventually merged with the Pullman railroad car manufacturer and Pullman Standard was born.
The building on Hansen Avenue operated as an office during the company’s operation. When the railroad manufacturing industry crashed, the plant closed in February 1982 and Butler suffered a $60 million hit to it’s economy.
