Vandalism spree in Parsippany rattles residents

PARSIPPANY (WABC) -- In one neighbor's yard in Parsippany, a swing set has been completely torn apart, some of its boards are snapped. Around the corner but still in the lake Intervale section of Parsippany mailboxes are knocked down, unhinged from their posts.

Stan Blank, a Parsippany resident thinks he knows the culprit.

"It had to be high school kids, that's my reaction," he said.

About 15 incidents of vandalism have been reported.

"Most likely it's local teenagers, so right now there's a current investigation going on," said Det. Joe Puso of the Parsippany Police department "so resource officers are very well aware of going on, they're reaching out to some students."

Karen Hurdman, another Parsippany resident, had her property damaged.

"Looks like kids came Thursday night and ripped out an 18 foot dogwood tree from my front property," she said.

Her landscaping took a beating.

"This was a brand new tree we put in last week they completely uprooted that threw that in the driveway. They took out 2 bushes and threw them in the street," Hurdman.

Fences, lightposts and bird-feeders were knocked down or damaged. Not knowing who's behind the overnight mischief, have a few residents a bit unnerved.

"Oh yeah, cause I come home from work late at night...my mom's like be careful because its after dark when you come in," said Rachel Rodriguez.

Police have stepped up patrols along these quiet streets and are hoping to find out who committed these acts. Hurdman is hoping they are caught.

"Obviously if we find out who did this, we'll ask their parents to replace our tree," she said.