People in one Vandalia neighborhood woke up Sunday morning to find their cars, houses and street signs defaced.
More than a dozen homes and vehicles were targeted by vandals who spray painted messages and images - some too vulger to repeat.
“This is very unusual,” said resident Sue Slemker.
Police turned to social media to ask for information about the crimes that happened in the overnight hours June 5, when vandals used bright green spray paint to tag cars, tucks, homes, street signs and more. “They wrote awful words on vehicles and homes on the streets of Timberwind, Lockhart, Carolina, Aberdeen, Furman and Cawdor Court … Please help us get to the bottom of these senseless and expensive crimes,” the department posted on its Facebook page.
The further back in the neighborhood, the bolder the vandals got, though police said the crimes appeared random with no individuals singled out.
“I have a sticker on the back that shows that I’m a supporter of the police department.” said resident Jerry Glaser, who just bought his car a few months ago. His car has already been fixed, thanks to the kindness of a local auto body shop.
“That young man was good enough to come on down here. He did all three of us in the cul-de-sac here, spent a good hour and a half, would not accept a dime for it, and did a marvelous job,” Glaser said. “My faith in people came back with this guy’s help.”
Police are reviewing surveillance cameras in the area. They suspect a group of juveniles is to blame. Whoever is responsible could face vandalism and criminal damaging charges.
“Kids just don’t realize what happens when they do damage to personal property,” Slemker said.
Glaser has a message for the culprits: “Kids grow up. Some day I hope you have something nice and I hope that nobody messes it up.”