Police probe South Nassau vehicle vandalism spree

Detectives investigating a Nassau County vehicle vandalism spree they believe was committed by "youth on a rampage" are on the lookout for expressions of bragging by the perpetrators, police said.

Dozens of residents in Wantagh, Merrick and Bellmore awoke Sunday morning to find their vehicles damaged.

Seventh Squad Det. Lt. Howard Sullivan said police are investigating 95 cases of vehicles with damage - such as smashed windows, mirrors, taillights and hoods.

Police believe the vandalism occurred between 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday. The total damage is estimated somewhere between $50,000 to $100,000, he said.

"We do have some leads," he said, declining to elaborate.

Sullivan said the damage appears to have been done by youths cruising random streets in a dark-colored sport utility vehicle. Most of the damage seems to be on the driver's side of the cars.

A blunt instrument was likely used to smash the cars, Sullivan said. "Nothing was stolen," he said.

Police spokesman Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone said Tuesday detectives suspect the perpetrators may be high-school-age youths because witnesses reported hearing cheering.

Referring to youths' propensity to boast, Repalone said: "When 90 cars are damaged, people are going to talk."

Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick) said Monday that constituents with damage began calling him at 7 a.m. Sunday.

"It was just malicious activity . . . that led to an obscene amount of damage," he said.