Vandals smash windows on weekend spree

Deepa Bharath

CORONA DEL MAR -- Vandals went on a destructive spree over the

weekend, smashing car windows and side-view mirrors and ultimately

causing about $6,000 in damages, police said Monday.

Eleven incidents were reported between Saturday night and Sunday

morning in various beach neighborhoods, including Jasmine Avenue, Seaward

Road, Seacrest Drive and Lilac Avenue.

Most of the victims were homeowners who parked their cars on the

street, police said.

One of the victims was a store owner in the 3100 block of East Coast

Highway whose display window was smashed.

There are no suspects at this time, said Newport Beach Police Lt. Doug

Fletcher.

“It’s very likely the same people were involved in all of those

incidents,” he said.

Glass was shattered with a baseball bat or similar instrument in

almost all the cases, Fletcher said.

It is not unusual for vandals to strike in spurts, he said.

“Usually when they strike, it’s a string of incidents. You find one

window broken, there’s another broken window a couple of doors away,”

Fletcher said.

Corona del Mar resident Sherrill Smith said she was shocked by the

destruction and damage.

“How horrible,” she said. “Who would do a thing like that? I feel

secure because I live in a gated community, but I guess it could happen

anywhere.”

Police are still investigating the case.