SIMI VALLEY : Stores in Center Struck by Vandals

Vandals caused an estimated $9,000 in damage to two stores in a Simi Valley shopping center in the past two weeks, scrawling graffiti on storefronts and tampering with rooftop satellite dishes.

The first attack occurred at the Sav-On Drugs at 2825 Cochran St. late Jan. 11 or the following morning, said Debra Ruud, crime analyst for the Simi Valley Police Department. Vandals climbed onto the store roof and damaged three satellite dishes.

Then, late Thursday or early Friday, vandals again damaged satellite dishes above the Sav-On and the Mervyn’s at 2801 Cochran St., Ruud said. In addition to the satellite damage, graffiti was spray-painted on the Mervyn’s store.

Simi Valley Sgt. John Wilcox said the incidents were isolated and not part of any citywide trend. “If we get a bunch more, it might be something different,” Wilcox said. “Right now this appears to be an isolated case of vandalism.”