State police probe act of vandalism at World War II memorial in South Boston

South Boston resident John Maddox checked out the vandalism of the South Boston World War II Memorial. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

State Police are investigating an act of vandalism at the Castle Island World War II memorial.

In a statement Monday, agency spokesman David Procopio released details of the troubling incident.

“At approximately 11:30 a.m. today, a caller reported that the World War Two Memorial at Castle Island had been vandalized,” Procopio said. “Troopers responded and discovered a substance – believed to be some type of oil – splashed or poured onto the granite memorial, which is located at the beginning of the causeway heading out to Castle Island.”

He added that “Troop H of the Massachusetts State Police is investigating. The exact time of the vandalism remains part of the ongoing investigation. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which oversees Castle Island, was notified and responded in attempt to clean the memorial. Anyone with information about who may be responsible is urged to call State Police-South Boston at 617-740-7710.”

No arrests have been reported.

John Maddox tired to help clean up the Robert Moakley momument which along with the WWII Monument, was also vandalized.David L Ryan/Globe Staff/Globe Staff