Southport police seek tips after 240 items damaged along July 4 parade route

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) - Someone slashed and cut roughly 240 chairs, tents, and other personal items that had been placed along North Howe Street ahead of Southport’s Fourth of July parade, police said Tuesday.

City of Southport Public Works personnel discovered the damage and notified police around 7:30 a.m. on July 3, the morning before the parade.

Officers found that items placed by residents and visitors to hold viewing spots along the route had been intentionally cut or damaged. Additional reports came in throughout the day as more property owners found their belongings had been vandalized.

Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said people started setting up items along the street earlier than they have in past years.

“It seems that they were set up earlier this year, like June 30, we started noticing some tents and chairs along Howe Street, and as the next few days unfolded, pretty much the street was covered,” Coring said.

Investigators say they documented approximately 240 damaged items. The investigation remains active, and no suspect has been identified, according to the Southport Police Department.

“We are looking at camera footage; we have some street cameras, so we are looking at that, and I feel like we may have a suspect in mind, so we hopefully will be able to look at that by tomorrow, maybe come out and have some photos,” Coring said.

Police are asking anyone whose property was damaged to contact Detective Riley Ransom at rransom@cityofsouthport.gov with the following information:

• Full name, contact number, and address
• The location where property was placed along Howe Street
• A description of the damaged property
• The estimated value of the damaged property

Witnesses with any information are also encouraged to contact Detective Ransom directly. Anyone with photos or video of the incident or suspects can submit them using the link here.