The vandals who stole Christmas

By Kelly Yates
Hugo and Coral Van Dyk were sitting in their family room watching television last Saturday when they heard sounds like gunshots at around 10.50pm.
To their dismay, they found their brand-new blow-up train, which was on the front lawn of their Berwick Springs home, smouldering as a result of the fire crackers.
Ms Van Dyk told the News the incident had put a damper on their Christmas.
“We’ve been putting up the Christmas lights and decorations for four years and this is the first time we’ve been attacked,” she said.
“We never thought anyone would stoop so low, especially not right under our noses.”
The vandals also ripped out the couple’s candy cane lights from the edge of the footpath and smashed a projector.
The disappointed couple has put up a sign out the front of their house reading “Due to vandalism by some morons, some displays are not working, sad hey?”
“We hope whoever did this may read it and feel guilty,” Ms Van Dyk said.
The couple reported the damage, valued at around $600, to Narre Warren police.
Constable Gordon Exner is calling for witnesses.
“Police were shocked at this act of violence and it’s definitely not in the spirit of Christmas,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Narre Warren police station on 9705 3111.