Graffiti vandals hit five different valley businesses in ten days

 

Police are still investigating five apparently related acts of vandalism in Solvang.

“These are not petty crimes because there are so many of them. They are quality of life issues and as soon as school gets in we are going to be looking for similar style graffiti and also be speaking to school staff and school resource deputies regarding similar types of graffiti,” said Lt. Phil Willis, of the Solvang Sheriff’s Station.

The first reported case of vandalism took place on Dec. 14 at the Santa Ynez Valley Charter School, located at 3525 Pine St. in Santa Ynez.

The words “RANE,” “SICK” AND “Style In C Crime Krew” were written multiple times on two charter school signs.

 

School Director Mariann Cooley said that the signs, which hung on the west side of the campus, were last seen without graffiti on Dec. 14. She was not able to provide any additional information and or evidence about the vandalism.

The other incidents occurred on Dec. 16 and 17 at four other locations, Valley Hardware, a corner building on First Street in Solvang, Valley Auto Parts and Enchanté Spa.  “RANE,” “SICK,” and other words were written on walls at all of the locations.

Many of the businesses that have been vandalized say it’s more a matter of time than it is money.

 

“It cost me about $35; it doesn’t look so great on the wall.

It’s no fun when someone destroys your stuff,” said a representative of Valley Parts in Solvang, who wished to remain anonymous.

Gene Madsen of Valley Hardware agreed.

“Everybody knows that it’s despicable behavior,” he said.

“We have to use a graffiti removal and paint on the other end and it takes man hours off the floor.

 

In our case we have all of the supplies so it costs us a little less to do this than other stores that have to deal with the graffiti. It’s time consuming and irritating.”

Anyone with information regarding the graffiti vandalisms or who may be a victim is asked to contact Detective Chris Dallenbach of the Solvang Sheriff’s Department at 686-5000.