15 Cars Sprayed With Acid In Northeast Philadelphia

15 Cars Sprayed With Acid In Northeast Philadelphia, Mayor Nutter & Residents Outraged

March 28, 2012 7:15 PM

Filed under

Local, News, Philadelphia, Syndicated Local

Check Out

By Steve Beck, Al Novack, Nicole Brewer and Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police spent Wednesday evening handing out fliers and knocking on doors in the Lawndale section of Northeast Philadelphia after more than two dozen cars were sprayed with acid by vandals early in the morning. Mayor Nutter, along with residents, is outraged over the crimes.

“You try to live somewhere and live right, and it’s brought to your door and it’s really upsetting,” said Geraldine Aponte of Lawndale.

Authorities say approximately 15 cars were sprayed with acid in the 600 block of Van Kirk Street in the city’s Lawncrest section.

Victims and police were at the scene early Wednesday assessing the damage, and the victims are perplexed as to why the vandals are committing these acts.

“Why are they doing it? What are they getting out of it? They’re not getting any money for it, so it’s like, what is the purpose? You have nothing else to do? And that’s the very frustrating part,” victim Yolanda Tyler wondered.

This incident is the latest in a rash of vandalism that has been plaguing residents of Northeast Philadelphia. Since October, approximately 80 cars have had their tires slashed in Mayfair, which is about a 10 minute drive from Lawncrest.

But, does the crime define the community? After fifteen cars were hit with acid on his block, Lance Marshall of Lawndale is keeping an eye on the problem. He’s installed surveillance cameras.

And in the meantime, “Just try to hope for the best, hopefully that element will move out. They won’t stay. As for me, I’ll stay as long as I can,” Marshall said.

And while it may be too soon to know the impact these incidents will have on real estate, some community leaders fear it could lead to more for sale signs, driving people out of the Northeast.

Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce President Al Taubenberger urges residents to confront the problem, rather than run from it.

“If you’re not part of a town watch, join one. If you don’t have a town watch, start one. They are the eyes and ears of police.”

Mayor Nutter responded Wednesday morning saying he is “pissed off” over the crimes. He had strong words for the vandals calling them, “@!%s-holes” and “jerk offs.”

So far, no arrests have been made in the acid vandalism, but a suspect in the tire slashing cases in Mayfair and three alleged tire thieves in Rhawnhurst have been arrested.

Police ask that anyone with information contact Northeast Detectives at 215-686-2153 or dial 911.

MOST VIEWED GALLERIES

PHOTOS: Best Female Musicians Of The 2000s
PHOTOS: Celebrity Infidelity Scandals
PHOTOS: Celebrity Birthdays: May
PHOTOS: Top 20 Most Hated Hollywood Celebrities
PHOTOS: Spring Fashion Trends As Told By Celebrities

http://mancavedaily.washington.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Washington, DC :: Hotties, Photos, Music, Jokes, Games

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Philly

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Baltimore

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Dallas

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.cleveland.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Cleveland

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – San Francisco

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.houston.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Houston

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.boston.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Boston

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.charlotte.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Charlotte

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-april-6-2012/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – Sacramento

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
http://mancavedaily.newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/man-upman-down-2/ Man Up/Man Down: April 6, 2012 « Mancave Daily – New York

[...] UP to Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter: Politics is the world’s most efficient filter. If you’re looking to shut someone up, just [...]
grumpy

“Stand your ground” anyone?
harry

Mayor Nutter had some good advice awhile ago.Stop acting like idiots and A**holes.They need to be caught.
EaglesQuestions

Yeah?
He’s probably not the only one that used those exact words.

Why did that get the headline, instead of the actual acid attack?
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/03/29/vandals-slash-tires-of-17-cars-in-overbrook/ Vandals Slash Tires, Splash Corrosive Substance Onto 17 Cars In Overbrook « CBS Philly

[...] This latest attack comes on the heels of a rash of vandalism plaguing residents in Northeast Philadelphia. On Wednesday, vandals sprayed acid onto 15 cars in the city’s Lawncrest section. [...]
Cortanis

Anyone want to try and look up where the local tire and auto guys have been on their nights out? Just seems like a lot of superficial damage that some one is banking on repairs for.
Fred

A similar thing happened to a friend of mine a couple years ago. Her car was doused with an industrial strength paint remover. This was in South Philly
Pat

Nutter is the MAN!

Logan’s Run

YOU SUCK!! Clearly you were the determining vote. LOL

Greg

Time for some real butt-kicking.
Logan’s Run

Yeah, Lynn. In fact, you’d probably make up a few curse words and educate us all.
Anon513

If Lynn’s vehicle was affected, NOBODY would be a child of God. There wouldn’t be any curse word out that she wouldn’t use. LOL
Amber

Yeah because I’m sure you don’t use curse words Lynn…get real. I wonder what kind of curse words you’d use if it were your vehicle?
tim

REALLY? Your biggest concern is curse words, Lynn? Seriously? You’re part of the problem. Words are words, get with the program.
Just Me

What is wrong with people? I just don’t understand the mentality of these young punks who are costing people so much money. Make them all pay for what they did. People work hard for their money to get what they feel they deserve. Leave people and their possessions alone. Geeeez.
Lynn

Curse words again, Mr. Mayor? Really Dude, really? So much for being an example to our people.