Nearly 50 mailboxes vandalized in Battle Ground

Vandals destroyed or stole nearly 50 mailboxes in two separate neighborhoods in the Battle Ground area, authorities said.

A neighbor reported the first string of vandalism at about 9 a.m. Friday. Deputies were told that 28 mailboxes in the 15400 block of Northeast 270th Circle were either knocked from their posts or destroyed, according to Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Schanaker.

At about the same time, deputies received a report of 20 mailboxes in the 28300 block of Northeast 147th Avenue that were damaged, lying on the ground or missing, Schanaker said.

Deputies didn't have a damage estimate, or know how many people, if any, were missing their mail.

Apparently, the crimes happened overnight and were reported once neighbors discovered the damage, Schanaker said.

Authorities believe juveniles are responsible but don't have any suspect leads. Reports were forwarded to school resource officers for further investigation.