A Staten Island home-owner was caught with a hefty restore invoice after a bunch of vandals smashed by means of his fence, presumably as a part of a web based development.
Video of the incident confirmed a a bunch of individuals — believed to be youngsters — rammed their means by means of Ben Helwa’s fence at his residence within the Eltingville neighborhood in early April.
“There was a flash light with a camera so I believe they were recording a video,” stated Helwa.
The home-owner stated the vandalism could have stemmed from an web development that has change into referred to as the Kool-Assist Man problem, impressed by the traditional commercials courting again to the 80s. Within the TV advertisements, the Kool-Assist man would bust by means of partitions as he stated “Oh yea!” and promoted the favored powdered drink combine.
Now teenagers are imitating the sugary mascot for likes and views on social media, in line with police.
A gaggle of vandals additionally ran although a fence in close by Prince Bay early Monday morning. Whereas it was not instantly clear whether or not it was the identical group accountable, police stated it was the third reported incident in latest months.
Lengthy Island skilled an identical downside in 2023. It bought so out of hand, Suffolk County Crime Stoppers launched video to trace down leads. A retired New York Metropolis correction officer was one of many targets of the prank at the moment.
No less than 5 separate incidents have been reported to Suffolk County police in a two-month span on the time. Cops made some arrests in connection to the incidents.
The development seems to have picked again up, this time on Staten Island, leaving victims like Helwa to select up the injury and a expensive restore tab, all within the identify of snickers or on-line clout.
“I didn’t find it so funny waking up finding out I have big cost ahead to repair my fence,” stated Helwa.
