You have to be pretty brazen when you spray paint a marked police car--at police headquarters.
But that's what vandals did in Culpeper Monday night. In fact, they spray-painted three police cruisers and a newspaper printing plant a block away from the police station.
Two cars were vandalized at officers' homes, but the third was spray-painted at the town police station on Cameron Street.
One vehicle had paint sprayed on its mirror, fenders, windows and trunk; another had paint on its hood; and the third had graffiti on its trunk, according to a police news release.
The vandals also ventured over to Spencer Street, where they left graffiti on the front wall of the Culpeper Star-Exponent building.
The vandalism occurred sometime between 10 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. yesterday. "We think all these incidents are connected," said Detective Chris Settle.
The town's Public Works Department was able to remove the paint from the police cars. Anyone with information is asked to call Settle at 540/727-3444, extension 344 or Crime Solvers at 540/727-0300.
Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com