String of graffiti, vandalism reported in Huntley

HUNTLEY – Some areas of Huntley have been hit recently by a string of graffiti and acts of vandalism.

Huntley police Deputy Chief Todd Fulton said that although most of the incidents didn’t appear to be gang-related, some letters that were spray-painted on playground equipment and the basketball court at Weiss Park on or about June 12 were questionable.

However, police had not determined which gang the letters might be in reference to, if any.

That graffiti also does not appear to be crafted by the same offenders as the ones at the Huntley Prime Outlet, Fulton said, where several profanities were scrawled in restrooms between June 10 and 12.

A few miles south, in the 10100 block of Bennington Drive, graffiti also was found written on a driveway at a residence.

Other unrelated vandalism accounts during the same time frame likely were committed by teenagers, Fulton added.

They include five mailboxes and some home items spray-painted silver in the Heritage subdivision and three other mailboxes painted throughout town.

In the 12100 block of Heinz Avenue on June 10, paint was smeared on a vehicle parked in the driveway, and a nearby street sign also was covered in paint.

That same day in an unrelated case, a male juvenile was charged with reckless conduct for shooting a police officer with a paint ball.

Several other juveniles were released to their parents pending charges, according to police reports.

Most of the activity occurred during the overnight hours.

Police did not have any damage estimates in any of the cases.

To deter vandalism, which typically peaks during summer months, Fulton suggested that residents keep lights on outside their homes.

“The more light, the better,” Fulton said. “In front driveways where cars are, obviously keep that well-lit and vehicles locked.

“That’s pretty much the only thing you can do, aside from reporting any suspicious activity.”