New England News

Friday, October 12, 2007

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Vandals damage Salem cars with smashing pumpkins

SALEM, Mass. –- Thursday morning Arlene Young found her rear windshield smashed by a pumpkin.

In an apparent Halloween prank gone wrong, Young was one of eight victims of vandalism. It seems the culprits tossed the pumpkins from a moving vehicle, which smashed windshields and did other damage to eight cars across the city.

"I think the kids who were doing this clearly are not aware of the fact they are probably committing a felony," said Police Captain Brian Gilligan.

The damage was more than $250 and intentional, he said.

The first incident was reported around 12:30 a.m. when a 28-year-old Lynnfield woman discovered the rear window and hatch were damaged on her car, which was parked in front of the Tin Whistle bar on Jefferson Avenue.

"It's all different areas of the city," said Captain Comeau. "So, obviously (the vandals) must be in a car."

One victim said a family member heard "a vehicle driving by and kids laughing."

In what may be a related incident, a resident of Japonica Street called police around 1 a.m. to report hearing a loud crash out front. When he went outside, he noticed his truck had a large dent in the side and saw a potted plant in the middle of the road.

"They have taken smashing pumpkins a step further," Gilligan said. "And they may not appreciate the fact they are stepping up their activity from nuisance/misdemeanor to felony conduct."

The case has been turned over to the department's new community impact unit, Comeau said. "They will be out there looking for the vandals."

As for the victims, they're just scratching their heads.

"It's not terrorism or anything," Cruddas said. "It's a prank that got well out of hand."

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