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Vandal strikes twice in one night

Reminder Publications photo by Natasha Clark
By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW The East Longmeadow Police Department has responded to two incidents of vandalism that took place on Aug. 29 at properties located on Favorite Lane. While the Police Department does not have a suspect at this time, they are investigating whether or not previous incidents may have been committed by the same perpetrator.

"On the 29th, yesterday, we received a call from a fellow at Favorite Lane, and he says he has damage to his van with black spray paint of [obscene images] and two tires are flat," Sgt. Pat Manley said. Manley said that after the responding officer went to the property he decided to check the area for further damage and while he was canvassing the neighborhood he saw a female pedestrian and asked if she knew anything and she pointed out vandalism she saw to a home at the end of the cul de sac. It was covered in obscene words and images and the letters "CWA."

Edward Kraus of Favorite Lane Development (owner of that second property) said that he was notified that morning by the police. The home was in the process of completion and is valued between $800,000 - $900,000. An adjuster from Kraus' insurance company visited the property on Aug. 30 and Kraus estimates repairs will cost between $2,000 and $3,000.

Kraus expressed his displeasure of hearing about the damage to the other property on Favorite Lane.

"It's a shame actually. He's a real nice guy," Kraus said.

Police officers have responded to several vandalism calls in that neighborhood over the last eight months.

"We had a series of damage complaints in the neighborhood of Pease Road, Favorite Lane and Lee Street," Manley said. "And we had a number of vandalism dating back to April that seem similar. They involve spray painting. Back on April 18 we received a call. Some folks woke up and saw some painting on their house [on Pease Road]. They thought it may be related to [a troubled] tenant.

"A short time later, May 1, we received a call from a person on Lee Street. Someone sprayed the side of their motor home. [An] officer went down and took a report. After he left the home he was patrolling the area, checking for further damage and found spray painting on a stop or yield sign. So now we had two events one town property, one private residence."

Manley said things were quiet for the next month until July 22.

"On July 22 we get a call in the early morning hours from a person that says 'my car was spray painted.' So we respond. There was a party and the woman left the party around 2:50 a.m. and found damage on her car, and then she called [the police] and went home. So what happened is the next day the lady came in [to the police station] in the afternoon and we were able to follow up. Now we had a third event," Manley said. "Two on Lee and one on Pease Road. And they are remote in time but they are all similar, a black spray paint."

On Aug. 25 another caller reported damage to her vehicle while it was parked on Lee Street. "This wasn't spray paint. Someone took a sharp object and scratched obscenities onto the side of the car. And there was drawing of [male genitalia]. The thing that troubles us is this is different. This is not happening every Friday night. These are happening at random dates and times and we're concerned," Manley stated.

He said these incidents are all occurring at night and are taking place between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Manley said it looks like adolescent type behavior and he believes the perpetrator may reside somewhere within that vicinity.

Earlier in the year there have also been reports of broken car windows and smashed mailboxes within the neighborhood but it is unknown whether those incidents are related.

"This is probably an adolescent that has been able to get out at night without some supervision. Now that school has started there probably will be some control on the kid's freedom. It may become more sporadic," Manley said.