Vandals hit Soldotna homes with paint balls

Paint-ball vandals struck in and around Soldotna last week leaving their unsightly yellow paint marks on at least 15 residences, one business and two vehicles.

On Wednesday, Soldotna police received reports of three houses and a car being hit on Farnsworth Boulevard and on West Redoubt Avenue.

Alaska State Troopers also received reports of paint ball vandalism Wednesday outside Sol-dotna in the Sport Lake area where one house, one door and an entire garage door were hit with paint balls.

The following day, the reports of vandalism escalated in Soldotna with police finding six residences and one business with the yellow telltale markings on Marydale Avenue, as well as houses on South Kobuk Street, Lorraine Court and Fireweed Street.

Soldotna Police Sgt. Todd McGillivray said police had no suspects in the spree as of Friday, but one lead came in Thursday night after someone reported seeing a person in a newer model black Chevrolet pickup drive through the Soldotna Sports Center parking lot and shoot a yellow paint ball at a vehicle parked there.

McGillivray and Trooper Sgt. Dan Donaldson said extra patrols are looking for suspects in the paint ball incidents.

"Obviously we're actively patrolling and looking for these guys, but it's like the fire department driving around looking for a fire to start," Donaldson said.

The trooper said most paint from paint balls will wash off with water.

"The problem is if you're hit with one, it does sting and if you're hit in the eye, it can take out your eye," he said.

Anyone with more information about the vandalism is asked to call police at 262-4455 or troopers in Soldotna at 262-4453.