Construction of Clayton's $6 million community center is going to take longer than expected following a destructive act of vandalism this weekend.

Officials say it'll take a week before the full extent of the damage is known.

Police are searching for suspects, but so far there have been no arrests. As a result, the town has offered a $5,000 reward.

Whoever did it ran wild with heavy-duty construction equipment like a bulldozer and a steam roller; smashing and knocking apart the site.

“Most of the damage was done to the backside, which is not viewable from the road,” said Clayton Town Manager Steve Biggs.

That damage included destroyed walls, crushed construction materials, downed scaffoldings and even destruction of some heavy equipment itself.  For example, a steamroller lay on its side and a bulldozer had its tires slashed.

“It's very frustrating," said Captain J.L. Gerrell of the Clayton Police Department. “It hurts the community as well as puts the contractors behind schedule.”

He said crews were working at the site up until 3:30 p.m. last Saturday. When a police patrol made a routine pass around 7 p.m., the damage had been done.

“Detectives are canvassing the area, looking through the local neighborhoods,” said Gerrell.

Investigators said that the damage could have been done by anyone from a disgruntled employee, to kids engaging in vandalism.

“It'll be a challenge getting replacement materials now,” said town manager Biggs. "We should know by the end of the week how badly the schedule is impaired.”

In the meantime, investigators are hoping the $5,000 reward will convince someone that they ought to turn in whoever maliciously destroyed the ongoing work at the community center.

“We're looking for as much help as possible,” explained Captain Gerrell. “We've received some calls from the public, but more information would be better for the case.”

Clayton's town manager says when an arrest is made, he'd like for whoever is responsible for the destruction to be forced to pay reinstitution for the cost of the damages, as well as seeing them get penalties from the criminal justice system.

TALK BACK TO STEVE ON HIS BLOG AT: http://blogs.wncn.info/betweenthelines