Recent vandalism at Center City Markets and posted about on the Altoona Police Department Facebook page netted 190 comments and 444 shares as of Thursday afternoon.

It also netted information on the suspects.

The post, which included surveillance photos, sought information on two youths suspected of defacing the newly opened establishment.

By Thursday afternoon, two junior-high-aged children had been identified as suspects, based on the photos and with help from Altoona Area School District police, according to markets owner Christopher Cook.

The men’s room at Center City Markets was vandalized with spray paint Nov. 22, according to city police and Cook.

The vandals used red spray paint on the walls, the toilet, the stalls and the mirror, Cook said.

Police suspect that the same individuals may have painted the inside of the Altoona Transportation Center parking garage several weeks ago, based on the similarity of the paint used in the incidents, according to Cook.

Cleaning up the men’s room in the market building cost “a few hundred dollars,” given that it took a full day’s worth of work, Cook said.

The walls have been repainted and the paint removed from the other surfaces, he said.

He was asked whether the incident troubles him beyond the inconvenience and expense.

“They’re kids,” he said. “I hope (they) learn a lesson.”

The Facebook post from the police department garnered plenty of comments.

“Young kids are doing stupid things all the time,” wrote one person. “Hope they do community service or something once they catch them.”

“When you have to go out and spend hours cleaning up the mess you made and other people made it will make you think twice about doing it again,” another commenter wrote. “Also, might help if your parents get involved a little bit more with accountability and steering them towards positive reinforcement.”

Another recommended the return of public shaming to deter such incidents.

“Try (and) make downtown nice again and this (is) what you get,” another commenter stated.

“They should (have) been in school,” wrote another.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.