Allegedly Punched Museum Director, Bit Employee

Police in McMinnville, OR say they've found the man who broke into the Evergreen Aviation Museum early Monday morning, assaulted two museum employees and causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Gerald Lahey, 19, is accused of the break-in and senseless destruction.

Oregon's KPTV-12 reports Lahey smashed a WWII display case to grab the bomber pilot uniform inside, which he then put on. The man then allegedly climbed inside the museum's B-17G Flying Fortress.

Evergreen employees arriving for work Monday morning spotted Lahey, and called police. Before the authorities arrived, the employees said Lahey punched the museum director, and bit a 62-year-old woman who works at the museum's Spruce Goose Cafe.

To add insult to injury, police add they had cited Lahey less than 24 hours prior to Monday's incident, for reckless driving following a collision with a car he tried to pass.

Nicole Wahlberg, Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Evergreen, told ANN the museum is still evaluating the damage. Wahlberg said a large-screen television was destroyed, and several windows were broken. Blood stains will need to be cleaned off the museum floor, and off the WWII bomber uniform Lahey put on.

Perhaps the best news, Wahlberg says it appears nothing was physically stolen from the museum. Lahey is now in police custody, charged with -- among other things -- robbery, resisting arrest, and assault.

FMI: www.sprucegoose.com