By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Sea Isle City police are investigating an outburst of criminal mischief that included dozens of vehicles being pelted with eggs or damaged in other ways on a street lined with multimillion-dollar oceanfront homes.
The crime spree occurred overnight from Aug. 1 to Aug. 2 on Pleasure Avenue between 54th Street and 91st Street, according to police Det. Sgt. Nicholas Giordano, who is heading the investigation.
Giordano said no one has been arrested yet. Police have posted a message on their Facebook page seeking the public’s help, including asking homeowners if they have surveillance video that may assist in catching the vandals.
“We are currently investigating numerous criminal mischief complaints on all of Pleasure Avenue. If your vehicle was parked in the area of Pleasure Avenue and you notice damage to your vehicle, please contact us at 609-263-4311 to make a report. Furthermore, if you have security footage of criminal mischief occurring, please contact us as well,” the Facebook post says.
Altogether, 40 vehicles were damaged or tampered with on Pleasure Avenue, an oceanfront road boasting some of Sea Isle’s biggest and most exclusive homes.
Some vehicles were pelted with eggs, while others had their mirrors folded in or broken. Bottles and cans were left on the roofs of other vehicles, Giordano said.
“It was all criminal mischief done to the vehicles,” he said.
Giordano explained it is likely more than 40 vehicles were hit with eggs or damaged. Police are still waiting to hear from owners to determine if other vehicles were involved.
Depending on the amount of damage that was done, police plan to charge the suspects with felonies if the investigation leads to any arrests, Giordano said.
“I think the important thing is, we’re still looking for suspects. The potential for criminal charges could lead to jail time,” he said in an interview Monday.
Other parts of Sea Isle have had reports of criminal mischief involving cars or homes, but not to the extent of what happened on Pleasure Avenue, he said.
At this point, police aren’t speculating on who may be responsible for the damage.
“It could be anybody,” Giordano said.
Like other Jersey Shore towns, Sea Isle has been dealing with occasional outbursts of vandalism, theft and underage drinking involving groups of rowdy teenagers disrupting the busy summer tourism season in recent years.
In 2023, Sea Isle imposed a 10 p.m. curfew for minors under the age of 18 and a backpack ban between the hours of 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. for juveniles and adults to crack down on the rowdy crowds. The curfew and backpack ban remain in effect for this summer.
Juveniles are not allowed out from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the beaches, the Promenade and the beach blocks unless they have a legitimate reason. There are exceptions for minors who are accompanied by adults, are going to or returning from their summer jobs or are participating in formal activities such as recreation programs.
Sea Isle officials say the backpack ban makes it harder for anyone to conceal alcoholic beverages, weapons or other contraband while out in public.
