AHOSKIE – Another incident involving personal property damaged by paint has been reported to the Ahoskie Police Department.

Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh said a vehicle parked at a residence in the 800 block of Everett Street was painted  with a smiley face and the word “Hi.” The paint, black in color on a white car, was on the rear bumper.

“The owner of the vehicle said they had not driven the car since Feb. 17 and noticed the paint on the bumper on Feb. 23,” Fitzhugh said. “We’re asking for the public’s help to find out who’s behind this. If you have information please call my office at 332-5011.

Fitzhugh added that APD Captain Michele Garrett, Lt. Jeremy Roberts and Detective Sgt. Stephen White have been working to gain information on this and several other cases involving vehicles that have been damaged by the paint vandal(s).

Back-to-back reports came in on Jan. 19 (Roberts St.) and Jan. 20 (West Hayes St.). Late last year there were as many as 10 vehicles and one house damaged by paint.

“Although each of these cases involves someone using paint to damage personal property we are not 100 percent sure if they’re linked to the same person or persons,” Fitzhugh said. “Whatever the case, all we want to do is catch this individual or these individuals before they damage additional property and we’re asking the public to help us.”

Fitzhugh said upon arrest the person(s) will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for causing damage to personal property.