Authorities expect to file charges soon regarding last month’s significant vandalism at Allentown’s Lights in the Parkway.
Allentown police Chief Charles Roca said Friday investigators with the city and Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office have been doing “extensive interviews” since shortly after the incident on Dec. 14 or 15 that left the popular holiday light display with $100,000 in damage and costs.
The vandalism included bent light poles and posts, crushed light bulbs and portable restrooms that were pushed into the Little Lehigh Creek.
“I expect we will be acting on that very soon,” Roca said, later adding court complaints could be filed next week.
He said investigators have been making sure all evidence is gathered before filing “proper charges.”
Lights in the Parkway, which celebrated its 29th season during the Christmas holiday, offers a drive-thru display for motorists and riders along Lehigh Parkway. With more than 200,000 lights, it features tree-lined paths and animated scenes.
Despite several light displays being destroyed, including “Old Man Winter,” “Penguin with the Top Hat” and “Fishing Penguins,” the traditional holiday event was reopened shortly after the vandalism, in part with help from Holiday Outdoor Decor. The East Allentown company loaned large holiday decorations to replace the damaged ones.
“When we saw that vandalism happened, we were happy to call [the city] and loan some of the displays,” company CEO Boris Bajlovic said this week.
“It was really heartbreaking to see it being vandalized,” said Bajlovic, whose company, formerly known as Rileighs Inc., has been around more than a century making and installing decorations nationally.