Four Lindenhurst teens arrested for vandalism spree

Four Lindenhurst teens have been charged with multiple counts of criminal damage to property after vandalizing more than 30 homes or vehicles in a seven-day period, police said.

Lindenhurst Police Cmdr. George Moravec said two of the teens were arrested after playing “ding, dong, ditch” about 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 4 in the Mallard Ridge Subdivision in the 100 block of Mallard Drive.

When they were cited for a curfew violation, the teens were also questioned about the vandalism in the subdivision, Moravec said. They confessed and implicated two others.

That vandalism included the destruction of street signs, mailboxes, Christmas lights and displays, and slashed tires on more than a dozen vehicles.

Two of the vandals were 13 years old and two were 14, police said.

“At one point, they slashed the tires of 11 cars in a row,” Moravec said. “Every night, we had some complaints. It was really out of control.”

A majority but not all of the vandalism took place in the Mallard Creek subdivision, he said.

“In total, we have counted over 30 incidents that have taken place around town,” he said. “And, that’s just what is reported. Some of the damage either hasn’t been reported yet or will never be reported.”

The teens were charged with criminal damage to property, curfew, and criminal damage to vehicles, Moravec said. The number of counts and additional charges from the vandalism spree is under review by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, he added.

After the arrests, the four were turned over to the custody of their parents, Moravec said.

“Their parents cooperated throughout the entire investigation, and were truly appalled when they learned what the kids were doing,” he said.

The court dates for the four are unknown at this time, Moravec said.