Businesses to Discuss Vandals’ Restitution

A committee of downtown businesses will meet today to discuss how to divide $44,000 in restitution to be paid by two men who used a sharp rock to etch letters and symbols into 130 windows on Main Street on Nov. 11.

“Everyone wants to know who is going to get how much and when they are going to get it, because these guys really made a mess,” said Greg Ray, a self-employed painter who redesigned the windows at Tipps Thai restaurant on Main Street.

Community Council President Doug Halter said the restitution issue would be discussed again at the next community council meeting Jan. 25.

“Hopefully, we will be able to talk to the appropriate authorities and decide how the payout will be done,” Halter said.

Richard Varela and Shea Murdock, both 18, were sentenced last week to six months in jail and ordered to pay the $44,000 toward damages after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit vandalism.

The two were also sentenced to five years’ probation and barred from associating with a graffiti tagging crew. If they violate probation, they could be sent to prison for up to three years.

Varela and Murdock, who had been in custody since Nov. 22, were released Jan. 6 for three weeks by Superior Court Judge Bruce Clark so they could make the restitution payment.

If the pair can find jobs, the judge said he may allow them to work during the day and report to County Jail at night.

“I think the sentence is a fair one,” Halter said. “But I also believe that to help them build character, they should also be made to visit each and every establishment they attacked and apologize to the owners.”

Sharon Enabnit, owner of Jonathan’s at Peiranos, had followed the court proceedings and sought restitution from the outset.

“They need to know that there are consequences for these kinds of actions,” Enabnit said.