Indiana Township police investigating possible political vandalism

Indiana Township police are investigating a case of what they believe to be targeted vandalism.

Someone defaced an Adopt-a-Highway sign promoting controlling litter along Rich Hill Road.

The sign was sponsored years ago by township Supervisor and Deputy Mayor Darrin Krally and his family in conjunction with his neighbors, the DeLuca family.

Police Chief Steve Colucci said someone smeared what was described as black paint all over the Krally name on the lower section of the sign and left the rest of it untouched.

Officers were notified of the vandalism May 10.

There are no homes or businesses nearby and no surveillance cameras in the vicinity, Colucci reported.

“We were unable to find any video or anything else at this time, but we’ll continue to look into it,” the chief said.

Township public works crews were able to take the sign down, clean it and reinstall it.

Those responsible could be charged with summary criminal mischief or a possible misdemeanor based on the sign being government property.

Krally said he does not understand why he was targeted.

“We clean that section of Rich Hill Road up once or twice a year based on the amount of garbage and/or trash that we see,” he said. “The Adopt-a-Highway sign could’ve been vandalized for a number of reasons.

“However, it was my name that was vandalized and not my neighbors’. I would guess that it’s somebody that’s not happy with how I have handled my business within the township for the last 24 years or so.

“Or perhaps maybe I’m wrong, and it’s just some bored teenager or an emotionally immature adult with nothing better to do than destroy someone else’s property.”

Colucci said it was fortunate the sign was able to be cleaned and put back up instead of needing to be replaced. New signs could cost as much as $500.

The motive remains unclear, but the chief believes it could be political because of the township supervisor’s name being the only part defaced.

“It’s a shame that someone did it, but unfortunately that’s what we’re living in right now,” the chief said. “Some people disagree with stuff and like to target.”

Krally said he hopes whoever did it will “stop vandalizing our beautiful township.” He encouraged anyone who wants to address their concerns about him to come to township meetings or the quarterly town hall meetings he hosts in District 3/Rural Ridge.

“Perhaps someone is upset with me for winning both the primary and the general election in 2023. Either way, I don’t care,” Krally said. “I just want my family left out of their political grudge against me.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact township police at 412-767-5333, ext. 315.