Police: Juveniles do more than $100,000 in damage to historic South Elgin trolleys

Two juveniles who vandalized historic carriages at South Elgin's Fox River Trolley Museum this month face charges of burglary and criminal damage to property, police said.

Employees of the railroad museum, at 365 S. La Fox St., reported broken windows and lights on several trolleys inside the building when they opened for business July 7.

The offenders - ages 11 and 13 - somehow broke into the building the day before and caused more than $100,000 in property damage, South Elgin Police Sgt. Mike Doty said.

One of the juveniles was injured during the vandalism and that ultimately aided police in their capture.

"We followed a blood trail to a local residence," Doty said.

A resident at the house provided information about one of the juveniles, who then identified the second culprit, Doty said.

"They have been charged and referred to juvenile court services. They are at home with their parents," Doty said. "We just want parents to speak with their kids about the potential (criminal and financial) ramifications."

Doty said some of the damaged trolley parts can't be replaced easily due to their historical nature.

A museum spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

After the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Railway went bust in 1961, a small group of rail enthusiasts incorporated RELIC (Railway Equipment Leasing and Investment Co.) Trolley Museum, which opened in July 1966. It was renamed the Fox River Trolley Museum in 1984.

The Fox River rail line dates to 1896. It was part of the Elgin, Aurora and Southern Traction Company and ran about 40 miles along the Fox River from Carpentersville to Yorkville. It also was connected to the streetcar systems of Elgin and Aurora. All of the streetcar routes in Elgin and Aurora were retired by 1934, according to the museum's website.

The museum now operates on Saturdays during the summer and hosts special events throughout the year.