Police offering $5k reward for Merrick, Bellmore car vandals

Police are offering a $5,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals who damaged up to 95 cars this weekend, police said at a Monday news conference.

Police believe that a group of "youths" driving in a dark sports utility vehicle are responsible for smashing the windshields and windows of cars around Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore, North Bellmore and Wantagh between 11p.m. on Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday, causing an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 in damage, Detective Lt. Howard Sullivan, commanding officer of the 7th Precinct, said.

"There's a human element involved here," Sullivan said, noting that police received complaints that victims were inconvenienced getting to work, school and doctor appointments. "A lot of people don't have the means to pay for this damage."

"We do have reason to believe this is a case of youths on the rampage," Sullivan said.

Police said community members reported hearing smashing sounds, followed by what appeared to be cheering. Sullivan said the incidents are "clearly a case of felony mischief," which can result in a year in jail for each count.

Police do not believe the incidents are gang-related.

"Starting at 7 a.m. Sunday, my cell phone and home phone were ringing off the hook," said Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, who represents the 19th Legislative District, which includes Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh.

"I have every confidence that the Nassau County Police Department and detectives involved will successfully investigate what happened here," Denenberg said.

Police ask any residents with video surveillance cameras at their homes to offer tapes from late Saturday night or early Sunday morning to police. They also ask that anyone with information regarding these incidents to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous.

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