APPLE VALLEY, Minn. — Apple Valley Police are investigating numerous reports of car vandalism this week, ranging from slashed tires, broken side mirrors, spray paint and keyed doors.
Maggie White, who lives in the neighborhood nestled between Highway 77 and the Minnesota Zoo, woke up Tuesday morning to find scratches down the metal on her Nissan and three deflated tires.
The estimated damage totals $4,100. White will have to pay out of pocket to meet her deductible.
"It was devastating," White said. "It's no laughing matter. It's no joke."
Apple Valley Police said they boosted patrols in the area after reports from White and her neighbors. The department received five reports of vandalism on Wednesday night alone, Capt. Nick Francis said. No suspects have been identified, but Francis said this kind of criminal behavior is often the work of teenagers.
The suspects could eventually face a fine or jail time for causing what appears to be tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to countless vehicles in the neighborhood.
To make a bad week even worse, White said that someone apparently urinated on her car as well. A tow-truck driver figured that out while inspecting the vehicle, according to White.
"It blows my mind," White said. "Super sad to know that there are people like this around."
The vandalism also came at the wrong time — holiday shopping season.
"I think a lot of people are going to have lighter Christmases — or maybe even no Christmas — because of it," White said.