'SpongeBob fanatics' hunted over vandalism

10-foot tall image of cartoon character painted on historic building in Colo.

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updated 4:00 a.m. ET May 10, 2008

MONUMENT, Colo. - The U.S. Forest Service is looking for "SpongeBob fanatics" who painted the cartoon character on the chimney of a historic building.

The 10-foot tall painting of Nickelodeon character SpongeBob SquarePants is on a cabin in the Pike National Forest that used to be the Forest Service's tree nursery until it was abandoned in the 1930s. Forest Service law enforcement officer Tom Healy says the incident is part of an increase in vandalism in the area.

Officials say whoever painted the cartoon on the chimney brought four colors of paint and that it was a time-consuming venture.

Healy says it will cost several thousand dollars to wipe the animated yellow sea sponge's image from the site.