By James Wood

Medicine Hat resident unsettled after vandalism

Jun 13, 2017 | 1:28 PM

Melvin Balasa is looking for answers, after his vehicle was vandalized on Sunday night.

Balasa had gone over to the Papa John’s franchise on Kingsway to pick up some pizza around 11:00 p.m., and parked next to the building. Before making his way inside, he noticed a man walking southbound, shouting.

According to Balasa, he decided to ignore the stranger, and entered the store to get his order. When he came back outside, his windshield had been stomped in.

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“I saw my car broken, and someone in a car stopped by and said “a guy jumped your car and kicked your windshield!”, said Balasa.

Balasa said he saw the man yelling on his cellphone further down the street, where he got picked up by another vehicle, leaving the area.

Balasa filed a police report the same night about the incident, and will be getting the windshield repaired quickly. However, he’s shocked that a random passerby would vandalize a stranger’s vehicle.

“God will punish him (the man) what he’s doing,” said Balasa.

“I’m surprised, because Medicine Hat, the people are friendly. In the night, you can walk, it’s safe. I don’t know what happened.”

As for what he would say to the vandal, if they met, Balasa said he wouldn’t have anything to tell the man. He did say he would aim to park his car in a safer place, next time.

He also advised for residents of the city to keep an eye out for would-be vandals.

“Be aware, be vigilant for that kind of people,” said Balasa.

“If somebody (see’s) him, don’t be afraid to stop him. If police catch him, that’s it, it’s his problem.”

The Medicine Hat Police Service were not able to identify the man from the surveillance footage, and ask for anyone with information about the incident to get in contact with them.