Weekend vandalism targets SUVs

Over the weekend, vandals struck several SUVs on campus and in the community, leaving behind slashed tires and streaks of spray paint. They hit 18 cars on campus alone, police said. \nWhile vandalism targeting SUVs in Bloomington is not uncommon, police say the number of incidents has increased during the past few weeks.\nSome victims said they believe the vandalism was a political statement made by radical environmentalists, but police could not comment because an investigation is pending.\nThe Bloomington Police Department made one arrest in connection with the rash early Sunday.\nOfficer Bill Jeffries said an arrest was made at 411 East Cottage Grove.\nMussie F. Debessay, a 27-year-old graduate student, faces a preliminary charge of criminal mischief, a class D felony. He was bonded out of the Monroe County Correctional Facility Sunday afternoon on $500 cash bail and $2,000 surety. \nReached at his home Sunday, Debessay declined to comment.\nBloomington Police could not comment on whether any other suspects are involved in the ongoing investigation at this time.\nMuch of the vandalism took place on campus, especially in the 7th Street corridor, IU Police Department Sgt. Chad Bennett said.\nThe extent of the damage appears to result from spray paint and slashed tires, most of which were on the side of the vehicle closer to the curb. Some owners were still unaware that their cars were vandalized, Bennett said.\n"It bothers me," he said. "...People ought to leave other's property alone."\nFreshmen George Rohrig, whose car was vandalized while parked on 7th Street, said the damage might cost him more than $500.\n"I was pissed off, but I really couldn't do anything because I didn't know who did it," Rohrig said.\nPlanning to go run errands with a friend, Rohrig noticed first that his car had been spray painted with streaks, but only found out the tires were slashed after trying to move the car from a parking spot along 7th Street.\nRich Brummett, of Ken's Westside Service & Towing, said his company had towed more than 12 vandalized vehicles Sunday. By midafternoon, he towed five himself.\nRohrig attempted to remove the spray paint with Meguiar's Extra Tough All-Purpose Cleaner, but AAA arrived before he could see whether the cleaner had affected the paint. Rohrig said he filed a report with IUPD officer Martin East.\nReluctant to give the make of his car, Rohrig, an Atlanta native, said he plans to leave his car there the next time he returns home.\nIn response to the recent vandalism, IUPD will conduct extra patrols, particularly in those areas already hit, officials said.