Vandals burn unlocked cars, camper body on Salem streets

SALEM — Salem Police Detective David Talbert is advising people to take the time to do something simple to prevent thefts and vandalism: Lock your vehicles.

His comment came after four cars and a camper body on blocks were incinerated about 2:38 a.m. Thursday.

Talbert said all the cars and the camper were within a three-block area. All the vehicles were unlocked, he said.

Neither police nor the city fire department had an estimate of the amount of damage.

One vehicle contained a family’s Christmas gifts.

“It’s senseless,” Talbert said.

Talbert said authorities are hoping someone will come forward with information about any of the arsons. They are to call him at the police station.

Items were removed from the vehicles before an unidentified accelerant was poured in their interiors and set on fire. Two men were seen leaving the area, Talbert added.

The fires were in the center of the city. The camper and two cars were burned on Woodland Avenue. One car was parked on East Pershing Street and another was parked on East State Street.