Vandals spray-paint anti-police, anti-Trump messages in Boone

BOONE, N.C. — The chief of police in Boone is encouraging four people to turn themselves in after he said they vandalized several locations and a police cruiser near downtown on Saturday.

[CLICK HERE for images of the vandalism] 

Police said the words “Black Lives Matter,” as well as slogans against the police and President Donald Trump were spray painted in the city. A police vehicle parked at the town’s public work’s facility was spray painted with similar rhetoric, according to police Chief Dana Crawford.

The Daniel Boone Inn was also hit by the vandals. Channel 9 was there as workers scrubbed away the obscene language that was spray-painted on a sign.

"Personally I think it is wrong. These people didn't do anything to the people who vandalized the sign," resident Raymond Garrison said.

The vandals damaged buildings, signs and a police car, causing roughly $5,000 in damage.

"I think they should have to pay for it, pay for all the damage they've cost," said Jeff Shellman for the Daniel Boone Inn.

Officers began checking cameras Saturday in the downtown area shortly after learning about the vandalism. They spotted vandals on two different cameras.

Investigators shared surveillance video of what they believe is four women with spray paint cans around the time of the crime.

Click PLAY to watch surveillance video

Statement from Boone police Chief Dana Crawford:

As Chief of Police, I assure the citizens of Boone that this case will be a priority for us. It is deeply disturbing that some people believe that they have the right to damage other people's property and businesses to express their views in an unlawful way. While people have the right to disagree with any elected official, damaging innocent people's property is not consistent with Boone values. 

We are encouraging all four of the suspects who vandalized the property to contact the Boone Police Department to turn themselves in for arrest and cooperate with the investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers or alert them online.

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