Police searching for woman accused of vandalizing Milwaukee Public Museum

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As Milwaukee police work to identify a woman who marched through the Milwaukee Public Museum, leaving behind a trail of damage, we're learning more about the vandalism itself.

An MPM spokesperson tells us they're still going through each floor and looking it all over closely, but what we do already know is one of the most iconic statues in the museum was among the items targeted.

Milwaukee police say this woman took a destructive path on her visit to the Milwaukee Public Museum last Thursday during public hours.

"Last Thursday, March 7, an individual came into the museum and sprayed an oil-like substance on several exhibits in the museum which we're still trying to figure out what it is," said Ellen Censky, Milwaukee Public Museum president and CEO.

The museum's president and CEO told the Milwaukee County Board Committee on Parks and Culture that curators have spotted damage on all three floors - not only to precious artifacts, but also on the cases that hold them.

"There were some of our taxidermy specimens that were, that had the oil sprayed on them. Uh, granny had the oil sprayed on," said Censky.

"They actually damaged Granny in the Old Milwaukee section?" asked Committee Chair Sheldon Wasserman.

"Yeah, it was sprayed right on Granny's face, which then dripped down onto her clothing," said Censky.

The museum shared an old photo of Granny Hannah Tuesday, sparing images from when she was defaced. "Sense of Wonder" is another exhibit that will also now need repairs.

And all this, coming at a time crucial to the future of the museum. In the last few weeks, they've started packing items as they prepare to move to a new location by 2027.

"A formal groundbreaking ceremony will take place in May, with major construction beginning in summer. This is a $240 million project that includes $200 million for construction of the building and exhibits, about 20 million for moving those four-million objects in the county's collections and providing the new storage equipment for those collections and then another $20 million for endowment," said Censky.

The museum does have insurance through the county. The suspect was last seen wearing Croc-like shoes and a black backpack.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips.