Kanawha County sheriff's deputies are investigating the vandalism of an elevator in the Courthouse Annex parking garage.

Chief Deputy Johnny Rutherford said the disabling of the Court Street elevator on May 21 was apparently an act of intentional sabotage.

Rutherford said someone dumped oil-absorbent material into the elevator's hydraulic system on May 21, putting the elevator out of action. The material, similar in appearance to cat litter, is commonly used to clean up oil spills.

"The substance was definitely intentionally placed in the elevator," Rutherford said.

"It could not have been an accidental spill."

The elevator remained out of commission on Thursday, a week after the incident.

County officials still aren't sure how much it will cost to fix the elevator, but county Purchasing Director Jerie Whitehead said repairs could cost about $16,000.

"The motor is still being cleaned," she said Thursday. "Until we're sure what is or isn't going to work after the cleaning we won't know what it's going to cost."

County officials believe the sabotage was an inside job. Rutherford said the only access to the elevator's hydraulic system is in a locked room away from the public.

"That narrows it down to someone who has access," he said. "We're investigating it. We're interviewing county employees, and we're going to interview outside contractors who work on it."

Rutherford hopes to charge the vandals with felony destruction of property. The charge carries a fine of $2,500 and a possible sentence of one to 10 years in prison.

To contact staff writer Rusty Marks, use e-mail or call 348-1215.