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A bounty on vandals
Police offer cash for information leading to arrest
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
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By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer
Over the past week vandals ran rampant, splashing vehicles in northwest Napa with oven cleaner spray and paint thinner.

Napa police want to catch the culprits and have upped the ante with a cash incentive. The department is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible.
From June 17 through 27, officers took 67 reports from residents who had their vehicles damaged by the vandals.

They are spraying vehicles parked on the streets and in driveways with some type of acid, Napa Police Sgt. Debbie Peecook said. “We believe the majority of the damage to paint on the cars has been caused by oven cleaner spray,” she said.
Peecook said officers have taken 67 reports of vandalism, but more than 80 vehicles have been damaged.

“Some of the victims had more than one car damaged by the vandals,” she said.
The majority of crimes, which have occurred in the late night and early morning hours, have happened on Trower Avenue and streets in that area.

One resident in the 2400 block of Trower Avenue had four vehicles, including his company car, damaged in one night. Another victim who lives in 4100 block of Maher Street, off Trower Avenue was hit two different nights.

The substance the vandals are using ruins the paint on the vehicles, Peecook said. The vehicles have to be repainted, costing the owners thousands of dollars for repairs.

So far police have no suspects or descriptions of the vandals.

No one has heard or seen anything, Peecook said.

Anyone with information may call Napa Police at 257-9223.
49 comment(s)

starling wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:57 AM:

" I grew up on Trower Avenue and I'll tell you from experience, they need to look hard at young teens in the area. The ones who are always hanging out and partying, raising cain. In general a pretty safe area, atleast when I lived there, but every once in awhile, the young teens would pull something although never to this extent. At that age they don't think about the consequences of their actions much and just want to have something to do that gives them that "catch me if you can" feeling. I had my windshield smashed one night and I knew exactly who did it, a young teen. Believe me, those residents in the area probably know exactly who did it or have suspects in mind, they just don't have enough evidence yet. I hope they catch them and teach them a very hard lesson. "

funnyme wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:42 AM:

" Come out, come out...wherever you are...Here NPD comes, ready or not...

I certainly hope NPD gets these (can't type it) and give them the highest penalty available. Yesterday I saw one of the many damaged vehicles parked at NVC (swim team practice), and it just made me SO MAD to see that the victims -again- are just regular nice people going about their day with their families and work, and now they just added one more expense and one more thing to worry and to think about.

NPD, please work harder to go get these (can't type it)...Please, don't let them get away with it!!! "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:01 AM:

" Told em who it is.. They did nothing, "

crusherfan wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:08 AM:

" Last week someone indicated that thay caught these (cant type it) on video.What happened with that?Its to bad that someone will not come forward without being inticed with $.Shouldnt take long because these little (cant type it) will roll over on each other in no time when $ is involved.I say lock'em up and sray their car and be sure to spray the dub's. "

elb wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:08 AM:

" I have confidence that these people will be caught. No one does something of this magnitude and doesn't brag about it to someone in their ilk.

Since the person(s) doing this are scum and birds of a feather flock together, then we can be pretty assured that one of their scum friends will turn on them for the reward or be scummy enough to tell someone who'll tell someone and so on (All with the promises of never telling).

In any case, there were a rash of car break-ins with grand theft involved. Catching that person seemed unlikely at the time, but NPD put the pieces together and that person was caught, charged without bail and the last I had heard the DA was going for a third strike on the bugger.

I know he's doing time, but whether they got the third strike or not, I don't know.

Prayers for wisdom, safety and a swift end to this latest crime spree, topped off with full restitution for the victims and more than a few years behind bars for this (or these) criminals. "

Baraki wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:50 AM:

" Check around online for cheap DVR-based remote video cameras. We have a computer running "media center" -- and with that plus $70 in cameras, we have motion activated surveillance of our front yard. Lights, camera, (can't type it)! Come on, spray my car -- I've been wanting an excuse to get a new one anyway. With the insurance, plus the NPD reward, I'm all set! :) "

bailey mae wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:18 AM:

" I am one of the many that was hit. Ours was approx. $1500.00 in damages. Just what we need! We are keeping a look out in the neighborhood. Everyone is! My sister lives on Kingston and drives a really nice car and she was hit over there also $3.000.00 damages. I would be willing to add to the reward money just to catch these low lifes. News crews were by my house last night, so the word is out. I'd like to see a few more police come by. I have not seen one since our truck was damaged two and a half weeks ago and we have been waking up to check on things latley. Pretty Sad!!!!! "

mamyt wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:18 AM:

" I expect there will be some token cars hit in a different area of Napa to throw off the scent. So no matter where you live pay attention. If your dogs are growling get out of bed and let them out they can sense when people are up to trouble. "

nwnapan wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:23 AM:

" How about a response fron NPd on Dirty Napkins comments? "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:44 AM:

" Good luck. "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:51 AM:

" Sergeant Paul Paniagua recommends that residents be vigilant: "If they see people walking around at night... call the police department. Have lights on outside. Just beware.

Kids over at the School in the area were called on, Sat and the police never showed. It was midnight, why were they out in the first place.... And where where the police?? Come on.. Its napa. This is the biggest story we have to deal with at the moment. "

biLly wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:59 AM:

" Dirty Napkin are you 100% sure? You told them and they did "nothing" what is going on here?? "

crusherfan wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:26 AM:

" Does video excist?Blurry or not ,put it on you tube.The more it is seen the more chance on resolution to this garbage.I cannot believe the police are not responding to reports of kids out that late. "

bloodagar wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:09 PM:

" Dirty Napkin...Thank you for the info but in the past, I have on 2 occasions called the NPD regarding party goers & one large fight in the general area of Vintage and there was NO response, not even a drive by.
They apparently moved down to the Dead End...and remained there drinking and left in their vehicles.
I would recommend RANDOM but consistent area checks of Vintage and Napa High especially around curfew. "

lsw1969 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:13 PM:

" If oven cleaner is the tool to destroy, have the stores been contacted to see if there has been in increase in sales? If so, maybe the person who has made the purchase is on camera at the store. I can't see any reason to need more than one can of oven cleaner. In fact with so many self cleaning ovens and it being summer and all I can't really see a big need for oven cleaning products. "

wined0wnnapa wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:19 PM:

" im popping some popcorn and pulling up a comfy chair to watch dirtynapkins supposed video "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:37 PM:

" As I said before.. Its not MY video. It will never be seen by the public. All people involved are minors. "

wined0wnnapa wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:50 PM:

" ohhhhhhhhh boyyyyyyyyy. someone else might have some police cars in front of their house after admitting online to have unsolicited video of minors. "

Two Cents wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:13 PM:

" Im with nwnapan.... where are the NPDs comments on what Dirty Napkin has been blogging from the beginning... someone out there has this on tape??? Why has this tape not been confiscated by the police? Why has it not been posted on you tube as many have suggested? Why havent these people turned it in now that there is a reward?
Something doesnt seem right here...
Dirty Napkin, if you know who it is and have proof, why havent they been caught and you are $2500 richer??
Also, I'm curious, have there been any more hits on cars since this all hit the paper and made it known that people are staking out their own homes waiting for these jerks? "

Winghunter wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:14 PM:

" Two Cents... Yes there was a large RV hit on Linda Vista Sunday night between midnight and 3 am. They had to go 40 feet on the persons property to spray the RV, seems they are getting more and more bold as this goes on. "

JustMy$.02 wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Dirty Napkin,

Why wont it be shown in public? Because of minors? What about that video of the minor girls beating the beezesus out of that one girl?
That was everywhere! And just look on youtube there are tons of videos of minors doing illegal things.

Thats not a reason, put the video out there and maybe something will actually get done. "

mamyt wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:53 PM:

" According to the you tube guidelines there is no issue with posting the video unless the minors in question are naked. But that is an interesting angle for kids wanting to cause trouble but not wanting to be busted by video. Clearly some one is not being honest. The NPD says they have no suspects and some one else says they have a tape showing suspects. The two statements can not both be true.

I just hope this doesn't fall out of interest and we move on to the next big event. I'm still waiting to hear why the toddler was wondering on the road or what progress has been made on the hit and run and if the cause of death was being hit by a car. "

melimop wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Dirty Napkin --- if you have all the time in the world to comment on every article posted in the Napa Register each day, why would try ONCE to tell police who these kids are??? Seems a little lame and like a huge lie to me. Quick commenting about this subject if you aren't going to do anything to help. It's getting old, and I am sure others probably would agree with me! "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:12 PM:

" Ive said it 30 times its not MY video. And I dont comment on every article. You are very mistaken. But thanks for making me famous..LOL "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:18 PM:

" Bite me meli. Iv done all I can short of going to the police academy and arresting them my self. You have no idea what you're talking about. Read ALL of my posts. Its not my video to turn in or post on you tube... Ive tried, my friends have tried.. and anyone who lives in the area have tried to get the police out and they are dragging their feet.. You are spouting off about something you know nothing about.

And also, Im being sensored. So if the NVR does not like something I post, or I give to much info they just dont post. So keep that in mind before you attack. "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:21 PM:

" And why would the police say"yea, we know who it is" that would drive the vandals to go into hiding. Use that pile of mush 2 feet above your butts. "

matt g wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:37 PM:

" These responses portray everything that is wrong with both the youth and the parents of Napa...

Kids have little to do, and infinite spare time, but no direction...so they vandalize...

Parents are too busy at work, give little support and guidance to their kids...then choose to complain on a website, rather than act like parents....

let's all take a collective look in the mirror, turn off the PC's, sit down with the kids, and let them know WHO IS IN CHARGE...

otherwise, have a great time cleaning your car this weekend! "

chunk wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:40 PM:

" Why don't the victims all agree to pull their money to offer a bigger reward. $25,000-$30,000 dollars. Once the people are caught you can sue them or their parents and get your reward money back plus a lot more. Nobody has even considered that this person or persons are just sick adults. "

VANDALS BEWARE wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:04 PM:

" My home was one of the hardest hit. They hit all 4 cars to the tune of at least $15K. The first car is in the shop needing $4,200 in repairs. If anyone is withholding evidence of this senseless crime destroying our neighborhood, then please speak up and quit all the cheap talk. If you can't stand up for your neighborhood, then be quiet, stop blogging or better yet, move. "

bloodagar wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:16 PM:

" Whoa MELI! That was comment was completely unnecessary. I would say THAT is a personal attack.
I read DirtyNapkins original comment regarding the video...the person who owns the video was on vacation. I have lots of time this summer and enjoy commenting...are you going to attack me as well?

Well, jump on the bandwagon baby! "

barefoot wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:01 PM:

" Look for somebody offering good deals on paint jobs. Probably find a connection. "

elb wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:18 PM:

" matt g,

You said: "Kids have little to do, and infinite spare time, but no direction...so they vandalize..."

Did you mean to give these thugs an excuse? Are you really going to offer up this co-dependent, enabling of an excuse for their horrific crime?

Your thoughts sound really nice and cozy. You forgot that we need to have cookies and milk on the table for the thugs when they come home from school. Maybe if they had that, they would be a little nicer and only destroy ONE CAR per HOUSEHOLD instead of FOUR?

Here's the deal, if this punk or group of punks are smart enough to know HOW TO destroy these cars in this way, then they are smart enough to know HOW TO NOT destroy these cars at all. There's no excuse for them.

A three year old knows it's not nice to destroy someone else's things. THREE!

The character flaws we are witnessing in these criminal minds are such that even if we did have "something more for the poor, little, bored-to-death, pathetic punks to do, they'd still find a way to ruin that for themselves and everyone else too.

So the answer isn't providing more for them "TO DO".

As for your advice for parents to start PARENTING again... Now you are onto something, and I would include that perhaps that would involve a little less "sparing of the rod" at an earlier age when the critical concept of CAUSE and EFFECT actually has a chance to be understood as oppose to the new phenomenon of BLAMING EVERYONE and EVERYTHING under the sun for ones' own idiocy. "

elb wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:20 PM:

" Question,

Has anyone noticed any particular pattern to the spray jobs? I know the paint blisters and lines that may have started out smooth wouldn't stay that way for long, but if there are any patters to the spray that might be tied into some gang symbols it might be worth considering and comparing all the "artwork" in this crime.

Just a thought. In case this is gang related. "

mafi wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:21 PM:

" We have to remember there's a difference between knowing who did it and having proof- i.e video, witness, fingerprints etc.. we need someone to have a big mouth or someone to stumble upon them in the act.. "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:28 PM:

" Chunk, I love your idea of everybody bringing the money together for a big reward, the $2500 being offered isn't enough for people to rat out friends but $30000 would definantly do the trick. Most these people have thousands of dollars worth of damage, even if they have insurance the deductible is probably at least $500 if not more. Everyone pool there money and catch these guys. Then you can sue there parents or them if they are adults and have everything completly paid for and have some punks behind bars. I have dealt with a vandalism case and even if they don't have the money to pay the courts will deduct money out there paycheck every month until the damages are paid off. Strength in numbers everybody "

elb wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:44 PM:

" TOCN,
I'm not really sure how all this "Reward leading to the arrest" stuff works, but telling the victims who have already incurred substantial financial hardship that they have to come up with an additional $27,500.00 collectively before they incur additional expenses while "suing the pants off the criminals and or their parents" seems a bit ridiculous to me, particularly since the mentality of the type of person who commits this sort of crime suggests that he or she or they come from a family of losers who most likely don't have a dime to pursue in the form of a lawsuit in the first place.

I would further suggest that our tax dollars have probably already been hard at work paying for the likes of these sorts. They're probably already milking the system for everything they can get.

Let's just say I'll certainly be surprised if the perps end up coming from what would be considered a "decent upbringing".

As for the reward money...

--Who sets those dollar amounts?
--How are those amounts determined?
--Is the money donated by "concerned citizens, pulled from a pool of tax dollars or collected court fines or both?

And how does one go about collecting said funds once they "tip the cops off" and an arrest is made?

I've heard that collecting has its challenges and that the police department has a lot of "clauses" in place that make it difficult to collect even part of the reward that is offered.

Napa Valley Reg,
Can you do a report on that and let us know how this "REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST" thing really works? "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:58 PM:

" To ELB, I don't believe the victims should have to put up more money towards a reward, I just think 25k would help get someome to talk more than a $2500 dollar reward. If all 72 cars damaged had a $500 deductible that would equal 36K. If these people put that $500 towards a reward and waited a month instead of rushing to get there cars repainted then someone might turn someone in. If they do catch someone than the victims can take them to small claims court as long as its under $7500 dollars. This will save them on lawyer fees. If the accused doesn't show up then they lose automatically and must pay the victim. If they can't pay them then the money will be deducted out of there paycheck by courtorder. Now we can't assume these people are losers with no money, they could be rich kids who were bored and did this. When I was young I knew many wealthy kids that did some pretty bad things. The rich kids were usually the worst offenders because they had been spoiled all there life and had no disipline. I would like the register to do a follow up as well and tell us what the parameters are for setting up and dispersing reward money "

starling wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:45 AM:

" Here's a suggestion, why doesn't somebody who has a young kid in the neighborhood that knows alot of the other ones, have their kid ask around about it? Believe me, kids can get information Adults can't. It has to be very innocently done of course because you don't want your child harmed in any way, but kids talk to each other and someone is slipping up and talking amongst each other. It's kind of the same strategy used with informants on the street, they are out there and hear things. Just a thought folks..just maybe it would work, nothing else seems to be.. "

napatude wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:40 AM:

" Wow, now that the vandals are hitting the nicer areas it seems the PD wants to comment. Being a downtowner who has had our vehicles vandalized for the last 2 years 5 different family members or guests the NPD decides to make an effort to look and publish the issue. Prior to the events goin' north it was basically considered bad luck. readers, bloggers need to pay attention to the crime map and see how the crime starts from a small downtown area and moves to the outer area neighborhoods. The vandals get away with it in downtown and spread out.
Again as I said it has been happening on Clay street for years "

Winewoman wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:25 AM:

" Speaking to the comment regarding kids having little to do, spare time and no direction. Come on, now - haven't we been hearing this for generations? When I grew up, I recall complaining that there was "nothing to do" and I'm middle aged from a big city. My kids who are now adults complained, "there's nothing to do". Certainly there are "things to do" - we/they/us would rather complain (it takes less effort). There is a choice involved in "doing" destructive behavior including vandalism, crime, gangs, whatever. Frankly, I'm sick and tired of hearing that "there is nothing to do" for kids in this town and that's why we have vandalism and gangs. I don't know what the answer is - but I believe that it involves personal responsibility and social responsibility. "

starling wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:49 PM:

" I just have to say that whether the kids have something to do or not is no excuse for vandalizing or doing destructive things in general. I grew up in Napa and believe me, there was a heck of alot less "to do" then than now. We occupied our time going to Partricks Cemetary and scaring ourselves,lol., cruised, we did party too (just have to be honest here, we all pretty much did that), and never once felt the "urge" to vandalize or destroy someone else's property. The really horrible thing here is that with today's "no spanking", etc., laws, it is so hard for a parent to disipline their out of control kids. There is absolutely no help available unless the kid commits a felony or has numerous misdemeanors. You cannot send a kid to a camp if they refuse to go, if they sneak out if you ground them they won't do anything. We went through alot with my nephew not long ago and could not believe that parents are so blocked in what they can do. I came from a very abusive home life and they sure as heck threw me in the hall when I was a teen because I had run away to avoid being beaten over and over. I personally know that some kind of law needs to be there for the child because of how parents used to severely abuse but there also needs to be provisions in place for a just plain out of control teen! "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 4, 2008 7:54 AM:

" Napatude.. This was not mentioned on the crime map. "

sammy wrote on Jul 4, 2008 7:57 PM:

" I just wanted to share that I heard from a reliable source that the vandals have been picked up. Ages around 14 yrs old. They were picked up last night, also, they found the oven cleaner that had been stolen from Long's Drugs, in one of the vandals homes. All I know is these vandals lived in the area of the vandalism's.

And,..... Dirty Napkin,.... this ole girl can't wait to meet you at Blogger Mania 2 :) "

mamyt wrote on Jul 5, 2008 9:13 PM:

" Sammy, If that is true then it must not be the kids from Silver Maple because i saw them at the skate park today. If it turns out that the vandals are not the kids that have been strung up here on our blogging I hope they get equal time of apologies. "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 5, 2008 10:30 PM:

" I have no reason to say im sorry. Ive seen what these kids can do. You can just forget it. Hell will freeze over first. "

starling wrote on Jul 6, 2008 8:51 AM:

" To all the kids out there, beware, you will be caught eventually if you pull something like this! There are some great kids in the world, but there is always those ones that just get their kicks out of always "walking the fine line". I really hope that they caught the right ones here, and they make a true example out of them. If it was them, at 14, they are at the prime age to make a sincere impression that could make all the difference between a life of crime or straightening up. Kids will be kids but these ones have taken it way too far in the damage they have done. The city needs to take it out of the parent's hands now and straighten them up. The parent's only have so many rights as far as discipline goes and they need a very strong hand. It is not always the parent's fault, and like I commented on above, an out of control minor has more rights than the parent does anymore. No matter how hard a parent tries to come down on a child, the law favors the child period. Since the law prohibits so many avenues that the parent can take, then let the state straighten them out with a hard core camp for juvenile offenders. They need to be taught to take responsibility for their actions and that there is reprocussions for them, strong ones. "

Farmgirl wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:54 PM:

" So what is happening? I read they caught 2 14 year old boys on some blog, but nothing has been in the register. I would like to know if they caught whoever was vandalizing the cars and what the punishment will be. "

hudds5 wrote on Jul 11, 2008 7:27 PM:

" Since the insurance companies are the ones that will be losing the most money due to these idiots, you would think that they would make the "Bounty" a little more attractive. No one is going to rat out their buddy for a couple of thousand dollars. "

Paddy wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:50 AM:

" If they have caught these punks than I want to make sure the parents pay all the deductables for the vandalism. I would also hope the insurance companies band together and retrieve their losses as well. "

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