Attempted Break-In at WesBanco Arena Fails
Eric Ayres Trending
Police are investigating what appeared to be an attempted break-in at WesBanco Arena that occurred sometime overnight between Monday and Tuesday.
Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority Executive Director Kelly Tucker said damage was discovered to one of the large glass panels along the north-facing lobby area at around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
"Police believe someone may have hit it with a hammer," Tucker said.
The large tempered glass panel was damaged - shattering in a spider web pattern from top to bottom. However, the thick glass remained in place, and no one was able to gain entry.
The shattered window is located in the northwest section of the lobby of WesBanco arena where an ATM machine and a large Wheeling Nailers-themed Joe Too Cool To Smoke Snoopy statue are housed.
"If those were the targets, they would have had a hard time getting them out of here," Kyle Knox, marketing manager at WesBanco Arena and the Capitol Theatre. "The ATM is bolted to the floor, and Snoopy is so heavy, we have to use a fork lift if we want to move him."
Tucker said the police are investigating the incident, and an order has been put in for the broken glass panel to be replaced as soon as possible. Officials at WesBanco Arena are currently preparing for a big weekend ahead, with rock legend Alice Cooper set to take the stage there Sunday night.