Some Clarksville residents remain uneasy after a vandalism spree last week left 16 people filing claims to replace slashed tires or remove hate-filled graffiti from cars and driveways.
“At night we leave all the lights on out there and on the porch,” said Denise Brown, 45 who lives on Linden Linthicum Lane. “We always have one truck out at night. I know my husband?s been more aware of things.”
Howard County Police identified six vehicles with tires slashed and 10 incidents of “hate-bias” remarks spray-painted on several additional vehicles, driveways and homes. The Browns moved here in 1999, and said nothing like this ever happened in their neighborhood of houses that sell for $600,000 to $1 million.
Howard County Police are still seeking a man in a “dark jacket with yellow sleeves” they
believe is responsible for the string of vandalism and destruction of property on the night of
Dec. 28.
Steve Marston saw someone slashing tires from his second-floor window on Indian Summer Drive, and gave the description to his wife as she talked to a police dispatcher.
“I saw him hit those cars, then cross the street, then he came over here,” Marston said. He turned on his porch light and scared the individual away, but the damage ? two $150 truck tires slashed ? had been done.
Neighbors told Marston the suspect had spray-painted “Go Jews,” “Jews rule” and “F—” Christians” on driveways and cars in the Sunlit Water Way cul-de-sac behind his house.
Anyone with information leading to the suspect?s identification may receive a reward of up to $500, and may remain anonymous. Police are asking for tips at 410-313-3700.
Incidents
Additional victims of the Dec. 28 vandalism streak lived on the following streets
» Summer Sky Path
» White Pebble Path
» Hidden Waters Way
» Whistling Winds Walk
» Western Sea Run
» Wild Orange Gate
Source: Howard County Police Department
Vandalism tips
Spray paint on your car can be handled cheaply, if you act fast, said Sherman Greene, owner of Greenway Mobil Detailing in Columbia.
“If you jump right on it within a 24- to 36-hour period, a lot of times it can come off,” Greene said. “If you let it sit any longer, you?ll have to take it to a body shop.”
He has removed fresh spray paint from cars with buffing compounds and cleaners, but did not treat any of the vehicles vandalized Dec. 28, Greene said. He does have clients in that neighborhood.
