Staff Writer

When Ted Quinn woke up early in the morning on May 19, he found his house marked with spray paint on all sides.

Now Quinn says he faces up to $25,000 in repair costs, while Scarborough Police are still investigating the crime.

Quinn’s home, a brown colonial he moved into with his wife and son more than a year before, had been vandalized with white spray paint. 

While Quinn has not received the final numbers from his insurance company, he believes the cost of damage to his house is about $25,000.

“I felt violated,” Quinn said. “Obviously, there was a lot of anger, too.”

The spray painting included lines wrapped around the house, along with multiple writings, including obscenities and the word “pervert.”

Quinn, who said he has no criminal record, has been worried that neighbors will believe what was written on the house.

“A neighbor came by and said ‘I thought a sex offender came in,’” Quinn said.

Quinn said he is personally concerned with the emotional context of the writing.

“The fear and concern is the anger, the words are so nasty,” Quinn said.

Det. Eric Greenleaf of the Scarborough Police Department said as of press time there have been no suspects identified, although it has been determined to be a random incident. Greenleaf said no other homes around Quinn’s residence were vandalized the same evening. 

“There has been criminal mischief in town, but not of that magnitude,” Greenleaf said. “It’s usually in varying amounts, usually street signs.”

Quinn talked with his neighbors, and said he hasn’t heard of past problems with vandalism in the neighborhood, with the exception of paintballs. Quinn said he believes his home was targeted; his home is located on Pleasant Hill Road, in plain view of other homes or vehicles that drive down the road.

“There’s no question this was directed at us,” he said. 

Quinn, who works as a commercial real estate broker, said he is unsure who might have vandalized his home. He said he only knows his immediate neighbors as well as Scarborough business people and some of his son’s friends. Quinn said the police department told him teenagers might have committed the crime.

Quinn said he also believes the vandalism was not directed at his son, who is of high school age. He said neighbors have told him that some high school students like to perform “senior pranks.”

“It’s inappropriate, and inaccurately depicts anyone in my family,” Quinn said. “I would be amazed if it was directed at my son.

Quinn said neighbors have been helpful after the vandalism.

“My immediate neighbors have been very concerned and kind,” Quinn said. “I’ve had new [neighbors] who have introduced themselves.”

Quinn said he plans to install motion lights on his property, and also possibly purchase a home security system to curb any future crime.

“I’m confident we didn’t do anything to deserve this,” Quinn said.

Greenleaf said the investigation is ongoing as of press time.

Staff writer Dave Dyer can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 219.