Vandalism victim eyes security cameras

The third time definitely wouldn't be the charm for Azian Cuisine owner Minh Dang.

Dang and his family-operated business were targeted by vandals between June 16 and June 17, when they spray-painted profanity and long red lines across the entire exterior of the building.

John Law, nephew to Dang, said it was the cleaning crew that first found the spray paint. Staff left the restaurant at 2 a.m. on June 17, after closing up. Cleaning staff arrived at about 4 a.m., meaning the spray-painting took place within a two-hour span.

When he arrived at work on June 17, Dang said he was “angry” when he first caught sight of the spray paint. At first, he thought it was only one side of the building that had been spray-painted, but upon further inspection, he realized red, wiggly lines were painted over every wall, even on the asphalt in the parking lot.

It's the second time in the restaurant's eight months in existence that it has been targeted by vandals, he said.

Law said he thinks it was the same person or people who committed the vandalism. Police attended the scene and took pictures of the words that were spray-painted, but there are no personal tags or specific markings that would classify it as graffiti, Greater Sudbury Police Service stated in a release.

Azian Cuisine owner Minh Dang tried to rid his building of the red spray paint vandals used to deface the property sometime between June 16 and June 17. Crime Stoppers is offering a minimum $1,000 guaranteed reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. Supplied photo.

Dang and his family have lived in Sudbury for about a year, he said. They came from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He owned a business there, too, and said he had never personally experienced vandalism like he has since arriving in the city.

They were drawn to Sudbury because of its size, and it was a good location to raise a family. Although his restaurant has been hit twice by vandalism, it hasn't soured his taste toward the city.

He said he fully understands that it's only a few bad apples in the bunch that are causing the damage, and that he will be installing surveillance cameras in hopes that it will prevent further spray-painting episodes. In fact, he said if business goes well, he plans to open up another location at the Four Corners.

Azian Cuisine was officially opened Oct. 25. Dang invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in transforming the former fish restaurant into Azian Cuisine - $40,000 on the exterior, alone. He will have to spend another $7,000 to repaint it, he added.

The restauranteur said he was reluctant to file an insurance claim, because it comes with a $2,000 deductible and would increase his premiums. He said it wasn't worth it just to repaint, especially if the building falls victim to vandals again.

Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers is convinced someone has information on the identity of the suspect(s); therefore, a guaranteed minimum $1,000 reward is being offered for tips received before midnight on Wednesday, June 27 2012, if the information leads to an arrest.

The standard process for determining reward amounts will apply for tips received after the deadline.

If you want to provide information on the identify of the person or persons responsible for this mischief incident or have any information about other criminal activity, and you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip to www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.

You can also now text your tip by texting TIPSUD followed by your information to CRIMES (274637).

Posted by Arron Pickard