In a bizarre act of vandalism, several teenagers have been accused of covering a business owner's car with canned beans in the Ingram Crafton Shopping Center. Joshua Ross, proprietor of Crafton Ingram Lanes, confronted the sticky situation after finishing a long day at work yesterday. According to a statement obtained by WPXI, Ross said, "It's pretty frustrating people are willing to stoop so low."
The incident not only represents an act of vandalism, but also hints at the wasteful misuse of resources meant for the needy. Ross believes the canned beans were taken from a nearby food pantry, expressing his discontent on a community Facebook page, "Not only is this vandalism, but it’s also taking food meant for individuals and families in need and wasting it," Ross was quoted in a post mentioned by Audacy. The act has drawn criticism from locals, who find it disheartening to see food intended for the underprivileged splattered across a car.
Ingram Police Chief Jack Doherty confirmed that the department is reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses in an effort to identify the culprits. It is currently suspected that five kids are involved in the incident. "We’re going to try to work with some of the other businesses and see if there’s any cameras to catch them to try and figure out what the right thing to do is," Ross said, WPXI detailed.
The community response has been one of collective disappointment, with residents urging the young vandals to consider more constructive activities. Dave Long, a nearby resident, appealed to the culprits' sense of empathy, saying, "Stop and think about the people who really need it, and try to do them a favor as well," in a sentiment echoed by others in the area. Similarly, Christian Hartung of Ingram suggested that they, "gotta find better things to do- go play video games instead of dumping beans on cars," according to WPXI.
Ross has called for community vigilance in the hopes of preventing any future incidents and maintaining respect within the neighborhood. He invites anyone with information to contact Ingram Police at 412-921-3625, as reported by Audacy.
