Hawai'i County police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible for vandalizing the new courthouse being built in Hilo.

South Hilo police officers discovered the damage at 7:10 a.m. today.

Police said the suspect or suspects gained illegal entry to the property at 777 Kilauea Ave. and vandalized numerous walls by defacing them with ink markers, dumping carpet glue and sand throughout the building, and spreading white grease on three large-screen televisions. Damage was estimated at $25,000.

The case is being investigated as a first-degree criminal property damage, a Class-B felony, and second-degree burglary, a Class-C felony.

Anyone with suspect information can call Officer Jo Aoki at 808-961-2200 or Big Island CrimeStoppers, 808-961-8300 in Hilo or 808-329-8181 in Kona.