June 16, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chief Erik Costa, 860-638-4100

Press Release - Vandalism (Updated)

On June 13, 2023, the Middletown Police Department responded to the area of Prospect Street for the report of vandalism. The caller indicated that someone covered their family vehicles with food but the vehicles were not damaged. He added that there was a previous incident in March 2023 where his vehicle door handles were smeared with feces. The same morning (June 13th), Officers responded to Liberty Street for the report of feces smeared on the homeowner's side entry door. Neither caller could identify a suspect in the vandalism cases.

On June 14, 2023, the Middletown Police Department responded to Grove Street for the report of feces on the back window of a private vehicle. Officers determined that the unknown suspect had used feces to smear a racial slur on the rear window. The caller could not identify any potential suspects at the time.

On June 15, 2023, the Middletown Police responded to High Street for the report of feces smeared on a private vehicle and the front door of the residence. The caller cleaned the property prior to police arrival but reported that there was no permanent damage. A short time later, Officers were called to Liberty Street for another report of feces smeared on the resident's front porch window. The second caller had also cleaned the property prior to police arrival but reported that there was no permanent damage. Neither victim could identify any potential suspects. The Middletown Police began evaluating the similarities between the above cases and found that each victim's residence had a Pride flag prominently displayed on the property. While no Pride flags were damaged or vandalized during these incidents, the department is investigating whether the vandalism has any connection to Pride flags on the property.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect(s) is encouraged to contact Detective M. Small of the Middletown Police Major Investigations Unit at 860-638-4152. The incidents noted above appear to be occurring in the overnight hours so residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity in their area.