Vandals party to $40,000 toll

WASILLA -- A Wasilla couple continues to sift through about $40,000 in vandalism at their two-story home on Fox Trot nearly a month after several juveniles apparently used the vacant home for a beer party and destructive spree.

Ginny and Bill Hoyt were in the process of moving to another home when, on June 28, the juveniles broke down a door to gain entrance to the home. The electricity was still turned on, and pictures remained on the wall, along with curtains, some furniture, miscellaneous possessions and two freezers full of food.

Before the night was over, the kids had kicked holes in doors and spray-painted graffiti across the walls. They squirted barbecue sauce and honey, punched holes, and shattered all but one window in the home.

"Anything from the pantry was poured out and sprayed on the walls," Ginny Hoyt said. "They busted jars of jelly."

Neighbors along Golf Drive and Fox Trot in the Shaw's Trilakes Subdivision off Bogard Road told Alaska State Troopers they saw several teens fleeing from the home at 4351 Fox Trot by foot and in vehicles. Dogs had barked that night but they didn't think anything about it until they heard the glass shatter, Ginny Hoyt said.

Bill Hoyt said the overwhelming destruction to the home was one slap in the face, and the next one came from the insurance company. An Allstate agent told the couple the company will not cover the vandalism because the home was vacated for more than 30 days.

"I was shocked to learn this is standard procedure among all insurance agents, and that's something people need to know. Our home was insured. This is a loophole for the insurance company," Hoyt said. "This was not an issue of abandoning the house -- we had two freezers of food plugged in and running, and many belongings. We had been back and forth frequently."

Allstate Insurance agents said they are not allowed to answer media questions, but one agent at the Anchorage Central Allstate office said people who feel their claim has been unfairly handled can appeal the decision.

Service Master agents had told the Hoyts that every carpet in the house has to be replaced because there is no other way to get rid of glass shards. Holes in walls will have to be fixed, and nearly every interior door. In order to get a clear idea about exactly how much money is involved, the Hoyts must pay for professional estimates.

This case remains under investigation, and troopers want to hear from anyone with information. A Crime Stopper award also is being offered.

Trooper Robert Cox said officers have seen break-ins that were burglaries, and they have seen break-ins with damages such as graffiti. "We call it their tags, putting their marks on the walls," Cox said.

Yet, the suspects' tags in this case do not appear to be repetitive among break-ins, said Doug Cook, the officer investigating the vandalism at the Hoyt home. He said a number of suspects have been identified in the case. He intends to seek monetary retribution from the suspects at the time charges are made.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333 or Alaska State Troopers at 745-2131. Callers to Crime Stoppers do not have to give their name.