Vandals Wreak Havoc In Ringwood And Wanaque
WANAQUE, N.J. (CBS 2) -- There has been an outbreak of vandalism in normally tranquil Passaic County communities.
A total of four cars were set on fire and two dozen mail boxes knocked to the ground over a three day period in Ringwood and Wanaque.
Lori Peloso, of Wanaque, had not one, but two cars torched, side by side in her driveway.
"I'm just distraught. I feel violated. My children are petrified," Peloso told CBS 2's John Slattery.
"This is a tragedy for both communities," Wanaque Police Capt. Thomas Norton said, "We just can't pin down who's doing it."
The damage began when vandals hit mailboxes in the early hours of Thursday.
"The posts were ripped out of the ground and in a couple of cases, they were thrown at some cars that were in the area," Ringwood Police Sgt. Paul Rothlauf said.
The total damage included 12 mailboxes in Ringwood and 13 in Wanaque. Then, early Saturday morning, one car was set ablaze in Ringwood as were three cars in Wanaque.
Because the attacks took place on two different days, police are not certain if the crimes were committed by the same people.
"You don't wake up in the middle of the night and expect to look out of your window and see your car is up in flames," Peloso said.
"I just hope that they find out who did this because nobody deserves this -- people could have lost their lives."
