Vandals spray paint garages, cars on island

Newport Beach police are investigating a rare spate of graffiti vandalism that caused more than $10,000 in damage on Balboa Island over the weekend.

Four cars and nine garages in the 800 to 1100 blocks of North Bay Front were spray painted with a symbol, words and drawings, Newport Police Sgt. Bill Hartford said. A Police Department photograph of the vandalism showed one marking that resembled a pentagram.

The vandalism occurred sometime between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

“It’s unusual for the area,” Hartford said.

Newport Police have asked for help from other law enforcement agencies in determining what the painted symbol means and who may have committed the vandalism, Hartford said.