Roughly 30 businesses in Kelowna’s Pandosy Street neighbourhood fell victim to a vandal, who left a costly mark.
“This is insane, yeah totally 100 per cent, this is definitely insane for Kelowna to look like this,” said Nick Wei, owner of the Social Pets pet supply store.
At the Original Joe’s restaurant, two windows had been damaged.
“It’s frustrating because it’s, it’s going to be incredibly costly at a time when restaurants really can’t afford to be replacing windows, ” said restaurant manager Phill Caragannis.
Police received a report of vandalism on Friday when the property manager of a business located in the 2600 Block of Pandosy Street reported someone had scratched some of the windows belonging to the business, RCMP said in a press release.
Two windows had been scratched or etched with a tool and in the shape of what appears to be a tag, according to the Mountie who took the call.
“Some kind of a tool, whether it was a rock or a piece of steel, some kind of metal tool,” said RCMP spokesperson Const. Mike Della-Paolera. “He literally scratched it like a tag into the windows, scratching them beyond repair.”
Soon after, the officer was sent to a business in the 2900 Block of Pandosy Street to deal with a similar complaint.
While en route to the second location, the officer observed the same tagging on multiple businesses in the area.
But it appears the vandalism has been going on for some time with some of the businesses reporting windows being damaged with the same kind of tag a month ago.
“We were one of the first on the street,” said Caragannis. “I know a few businesses down the way here also reached out to me, and then I guess it’s just kind of exploded since then.”
Police have determined that about 30 businesses had sustained similar damage.
“This is unacceptable and costly vandalism that can take a large financial toll on small businesses,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera said.
“Officers will conduct an extensive video canvass to try and identify who is responsible, and most importantly charge them appropriately.”
The RCMP said they are looking for video from late April 20 to early April 22. Anyone with information can call 250-762-3300 and reference file number 2023-21153.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip crimestoppers.net