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Prosecutor weighing vandalism charges
The police chief said his department has suspects in the latest round of vandalism.
SALEM — Salem police will turn over information to the Columbiana County prosecutor’s office for review of potential charges in what police believe are two groups of vandals who are painting the town.
The newer group decided to pour paint on 11 cars and trucks on Merle Road, Maple Street and Kennedy Drive. Reports of the vandalism began to come in Sunday morning to city police.
“It’s not looking local,” city Police Chief Robert Floor said Monday.
Salem Detective David Talbert said Tuesday information came to light on what he called “persons of interest.”
The prosecutor’s office will review the evidence and advise the department on any action.
Paint also was on the Southeast Elementary School. School officials were not available to comment on any cleanup costs.
One owner who had paint dumped inside his vehicle told police he had already cleaned it up.
The chief said he does not think the new round of vandalism is connected to graffiti that has been painted mostly in alleys and under a bridge in recent months.
But Floor said he wants to resolve the paint problem, “before it becomes a major problem.”
Two people were charged with painting the graffiti on buildings in February and received light sentences, he said.
To receive a stiff fine, a vandal would have to cause $5,000 in damage.
“This has to stop,” Floor said.
When it comes to the painting vandalism, he added, “It seems we are getting way more than our share,” the chief said.
The vandalism comes when the department is shorthanded with a total of 21 workers.
The police department just promoted three members to fill vacancies in its roster but did not add more patrolmen because of a tight budget.
Sgt. Charles Shafer was promoted to lieutenant, Patrolman John Scheets was named a sergeant and will replace Shafer on the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, and Patrolman Karl Toy was promoted to sergeant.
Talbert said that any conviction for the graffiti is likely to be result in a minor misdemeanor case if the damage is under $500.
wilkinson@vindy.com