The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating property damage and vandalism early Saturday morning at the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center on Old Forest Road.
Police were called to the center at 10:40 a.m. Saturday.
They report the building had been spray-painted with graffiti and multiple windows had been broken.
LPD says security camera footage shows four masked individuals committing the acts around 1:30 a.m.
A few days later, now the graffiti is gone and the windows are boarded up.
This vandalism outraged a lot of people, including mother of five, Rachael Goode, who became a client of the center.
"They don't pressure you to keep your child they just educate you on what God would want for you. What God would seek for your future," Goode said.
She said the center made a huge impact on her life as a mother and she hopes the people who did this educate themselves on what the center is all about.
"I personally grew more attached to the advocates as I went through each pregnancy because they saw me through so much of my trials and tribulations," Goode said.
ABC13 reached out to the executive director of the center, Susan Campbell for an interview. She didn't want to go on camera and instead sent a statement: “Our Center is cooperating with state and local police who are actively investigating the attack on our facility, and we’ve also been in contact with the Virginia Governor’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General who have offered their support and assistance. We exist to comfort and support those involved in unplanned pregnancies, and we plan to continue to provide free pregnancy supplies, counseling, and unconditional support and love to anyone who walks through our doors, no matter what decision they make.”
In the meantime, police say they have a couple of tips they're following up on. They hope to share an update on Tuesday.
Lynchburg's Commonwealth Attorney Bethany Harrison also commented on the implications of this. She said in a statement: "While we are free to express different opinions and beliefs, destroying another’s property to communicate your feelings is illegal. Depending on the value of the property destruction that occurred at the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, the crime can be punishable as a felony that carries up to 5 years in prison and up to a $2500 fine. Other charges that may come from this conduct will depend on the facts and circumstances as they are developed by the criminal investigation. Right now we need the public’s help identifying the perpetrators."