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53 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 13, 2003 Since You Asked Vandalism cases are becoming common At 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 29, I was awakened with the smashing of two windows on our neighbor’s car. Police said there were more than 50 reports of vandalism from Bear Creek to Roxy Ann. The total damage is around $20,000. Isn’t this grand larceny? Have the culprits been identified? Why hasn’t the media alerted residents of this rampage so vehicles might be parked off the street out of harm’s way? — Rosalyn R., Medford There was indeed a rash a vandalism in Medford on the date you describe. The exact number of cases is difficult to determine, but police counted about 20 between Cherry Lane and Royal Avenue. No suspects were arrested in the case, but police added patrols, possibly deterring any subsequent episodes, said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. Advertisement The crime could not be considered larceny, the term for theft in some states, because nothing was reported stolen. Acts of vandalism are criminal mischief under Oregon law and can amount to a felony for damage of $750 or more. However, a suspect likely would be charged for each vehicle damaged because they can’t be lumped together in court. If a suspect was convicted, the judge would likely order restitution to the vehicles’ owners. Perhaps police didn’t report this to local media because such cases are becoming more common in Medford and are difficult to solve if no one witnesses the crime, Moran said. Neighbors can help out police by being alert to suspicious people in their area, Moran said. Writing down a license plate often can lead to an arrest, he said. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times