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UPDATE: North Okanagan hotel, homes and vehicles vandalized

RCMP investigating weekend spree, which saw ‘kids’ with spray paint hit Vernon

A number of Vernon homes, vehicles, a hotel and a school were hit by vandals armed with spray paint and some cruel words over the weekend.

Racist and rude words were sprayed on at least half a dozen vehicles, some residences and the Econo Lodge, at the corner of 42nd Avenue and Highway 97.

“A few cars and dumpster and one of our walls and one room window,” the Econo Lodge manager told The Morning Star.

“It was quite a bit. Young children. We saw it on the camera and gave it to police.”

The youth, wearing hooded sweatshirts, were not fazed by security cameras, and proceeded to spray paint three guests cars and the building, according to the hotel manager.

Footage shows the vandals in action at 1:50 a.m. Sunday, June 7.

W.L. Seaton Secondary was also the victim of the vandalism.

“Our painters are currently onsite painting over the damage,” superintendent Joe Rogers said. “We are also working with the RCMP.”

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP responded to numerous reports of damage to property stretching from 27th Street to Alexis Park Drive in Vernon.

Officers were alerted after a sleeping resident heard glass breaking in the 4100 block of Alexis Park Drive. An officer attended to the area and found numerous incidents of vandalism and graffiti to residences and vehicles. All available officers descended on the area and determined the vandalism continued through the neighbourhood to a local secondary school. The damage included rocks thrown at windows, vehicles and buildings spray painted with racist and offensive language. Despite numerous patrols by frontline officers, the suspects were not located.

“We have conducted a canvass of the area and were able to locate video surveillance of the possible suspects,” Cpl. Tania Finn, media relations officer, said. “In addition, the suspects left behind items at the various scenes and our investigators are working with our Integrated Forensic Identification Section to determine whether the items have any evidentiary value.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Cst. Paul Cooke of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com.

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Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
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