Dozens in bandannas vandalize cars in East Liberty

Pittsburgh police are investigating after officers said as many as 50 people in bandannas jumped on cars, tried to break windows and littered the streets in East Liberty early today.

Officers from the Zone 5 station were called to the area of Baum Boulevard and South Highland just before 1 a.m. for reports that a crowd was vandalizing property and cited "several people," said police spokeswoman Diane Richard, who did not have a count of how many people faced charges.

The damage included the throwing of a fire extinguisher through PNC Bank window

She said the people claimed to be affiliated with "Occupy Everything" and were "celebrating their escapades" at Shadow Lounge on Baum Boulevard.

Police believe some of them were staying in an abandoned building on nearby South Highland Avenue, where they could have had access through an unlocked door.

Officers found typed notes that read, "please find an alternate location to sleep 12/14 - 12/16. This building may not be safe."

Other literature was found scattered in the street, the contents of which Ms. Richard did not disclose.

She did not have a tally of the damage.

First published on February 16, 2012 at 1:47 pm