Hattiesburg police investigating break-in, vandalism at restaurant

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Police are investigating after a downtown Hattiesburg restaurant was broken into and heavily damaged.

Hattiesburg police responded to the a call at Vikki Layne’s in the 100 block of Walnut Street just before 3 p.m. Monday.

An official with the department said officers discovered the restaurant had been broken into and vandalized, leaving behind damage and graffiti.

"This is just reprehensible. This is unacceptable,” said Andrea Saffle, executive director of the Downtown Hattiesburg Association.

Broken mirrors, overturned tables, graffiti plastered on the walls, glass scattered around the floor — that’s the current scene of Vikki Layne’s restaurant in downtown Hattiesburg.

“Hattiesburg is a diverse and welcoming community,” said Saffle. “This is just not acceptable. Vikki is a talented restaurateur. Her food is fantastic. We’re just heartbroken that something like this would take place.”

Members of the Downtown Hattiesburg Association say they don’t know who would have done something like this to the business, but it’s not going to stop owners from moving forward.

“She will bounce back, and we will return," Saffle said. "I do believe that she will be better. Hattiesburg will come out and support and show and prove to Vikki that she is welcome in this community and that she is a valued part of downtown.”

If you have any information regarding the crime, you are asked to contact Hattiesburg police or Metro Crime Stoppers at 601-582-7867.

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