[CREDIT: Jennifer Kane] A view of one of two store doors smashed during a West Shore Road vandalism spree early Saturday, May 18, 2024.

WARWICK, RI — A West Shore Road vandalism spree that left busted shop doors and spray painted private property overnight, discovered Saturday morning by proprietors, managers and neighbors, is under investigation by the Warwick Police.

Keith and Jennifer Kane, who own The Berry Joint smoothy and juice bar at 2424 West Shore Road, said they believe the vandalism happened in the early hours Saturday, since Keith was at the shop at midnight and returned to find the shop doors smashed at 7 a.m. Saturday.

“It’s kinda disheartening,” Keith said, noting that vandalism in the area has seemed to increase since August. Vandalism aside, he said they’ve enjoyed running their business in the location since they opened there in Februrary 2023.

“Everything has been great and we love it,” Keith said. But the vandalism of their doors will be costly. One door is a double-glass steel framed door.

“It’s at least a couple grand to replace that door,” he said, and a second door broken by the vandals will be about $400 to fix.

The Berry Joint wasn’t the only business struck by vandals, he said. A door was smashed at the nearby Burger King. At the 2677 West Shore Road Dunkin Donuts nearby, he said, staff reported vandals had hung from a sign and caused damage there. Also, he said, a local home was spray-painted and a man’s truck had also been spray-painted.

The Berry Joint’s Facebook page urged people who may have seen suspicious activity in the area to let police know.

“If any one witnessed any unusual activity outside our store, please contact WARWICK POLICE. We were told by the police there was a string of vandalism throughout West Shore Road and Sandy Lane. If this happened to you, please reach out to us,” they wrote.

Warwick Police inspected the damage at The Berry Joint Saturday morning, Keith said. Police were still speaking with business owners in the area at 7 p.m.

Warwick Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports.

“It’s impressive the amount of damage they did in one night,” Keith said.

This story will be updated as more information is available.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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