Police investigate after skinned goat heads, graffiti found at 2 Vaughan homes
CBC
York Regional Police are investigating after reports of "disturbing acts of targeted vandalism" that include graffiti, smashed vehicle windows and skinned goat heads left on two different properties in Vaughan, Ont.
Police say the first victim called police to Melville Avenue and Hudson Drive last week to report swear words spray-painted on their SUV and garage door. Two male suspects were caught on video footage on Oct. 25 at 2:14 a.m.
One was seen walking up the driveway, smashing the vehicle windows and spray-painting graffiti on it, then on the house's garage. The other appears to be standing on the sidewalk as a lookout, police say.
Two days later, around 3:45 a.m., police say the same person called to report someone had thrown a "skinned goat head" through the front window of their home.
When police arrived, they found three vehicles in the driveway with graffiti sprayed onto them, along with stick figures spray-painted on the walkway, where a second goat head was located.
"It is sending a pretty strong message, I would think, to wake up to find a goat head thrown through your window," York police Const. Lisa Moskaluk said in an interview with CBC Toronto.
Later that same day, on Oct. 27, police were called to a home near Weston Road and Villa Royale Avenue, where a different victim found two skinned goat heads on their front doorstep, with a "threat" spray-painted on their walkway.
Investigators believe the incidents are targeted, and that the same suspects are responsible in each case. However, police say they believe the second home was a mistaken target.
Moskaluk said police don't want other people in the area to worry about their safety.
"We believe that it's a dispute that's occurring between the suspects and the residents of the initial home," she said, adding that police will be increasing patrols in the area in case anything else happens.
Moskaluk said police aren't looking at the case as one of potential animal endangerment, noting that people can purchase goat heads at butcher shops.
Filippo Calcagno lives near the initial home that was targeted. He said he witnessed members of the family crying and appearing "distraught" after seeing what happened to their home.
"They're pretty shaken," he said of the family. "I wouldn't like it to happen to my house, that's for sure. It was pretty vulgar."
Police are asking for anyone with information to contact investigators or submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
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