Phoenix's historical landmark, Tovrea Castle, recently became the target of vandalism resulting in approximately $5,000 in damages. As reported by FOX 10 Phoenix and confirmed by the AZ Central, the incident occurred on January 22, near the intersection of Loop 202 and Washington Street. The suspects, two men believed to be in their early to mid-20s, were caught on surveillance footage as they attempted to force entry into the castle.
According to descriptions provided by the Phoenix Police Department, one of the men was depicted wearing a green and black shirt while the other donned a hooded gray sweatshirt. "They're goofing around, they have their phones out, they're recording something, so my speculation is they're going to share this with their friends. They're going to share it with family members and that may be able to help identify them," Phoenix Police Sgt. Brian Bower told FOX 10 Phoenix. It is believed that the videos recorded by the suspects themselves could play a crucial role in their apprehension.
The Tovrea Castle, a unique piece of Phoenix architecture built from 1929 to 1931, has been subject to vandalism in the past. In 2023, a significant incident involved a break-in where estimated damages soared to $50,000. These recurring acts of destruction continue to mar a site that stands as a stone-clad testament to the city's historical narrative and community heritage.
Phoenix police are actively conducting investigation into this latest act of vandalism and urge anyone with information to step forward. Tips can be submitted to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, where informants can remain anonymous and may still be eligible for a reward. For those who prefer to provide information in Spanish, they can call 480-TESTIGO.
