OJAI : $81,000 in Damage Caused by Vandals
Vandals smashed the windows of several businesses in downtown Ojai and broke into two schools, causing more than $81,000 damage, authorities said Tuesday.
Among the businesses vandalized early Monday morning were Rains department store, American Heritage Galleries, Blue Sky Music and Antique Collection, Ventura County sheriff’s detectives said. The crimes occurred along a three-mile area of downtown Ojai that included Ojai Avenue, Signal Street, El Paseo Road and Maricopa Highway.
Only windows were broken at most of the stores, Detective Mike Johnson said.
However, three-pound stones used to smash the glass hit a wooden carving of a Gatling gun valued at $75,000 in the window of the American Heritage Galleries. Two paintings worth $2,000 each also were destroyed at the gallery, Johnson said.
The vandals, who authorities believe are juveniles, also went to Nordhoff High School and threw some computers around, Johnson said. Officials estimate that the damage at the school is at least $500.
The same persons may be responsible for a break-in at Matilija Junior High School, Johnson said. A slogan was left on a chalkboard and some potato chips were stolen.
No one had been arrested as of early Tuesday, authorities said.
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