CARLSBAD, Calif. - A local Marine veteran was greeted with a mess on Veterans Day, and his search for answers turned up something surprising.
A small flag stands in front of the Phillabaum family's home on Corintia Street in Carlsbad.
A few years ago, Devin Phillabaum left the Marine Corps after serving for 11 years. On Veterans Day last week, he left his house and saw the mess.
"The whole windshield was covered with eggs. Down the sides; enough to splatter all over," said Phillabaum's wife Amber.
She saw broken eggs had covered much of their Ford Escape.
"I was angry and bummed. It's supposed to be the day we thank those who serve. Instead, it's like, 'Hey, here are some eggs on your car,'" said Amber Phillabaum.
The Phillabaums cleaned the mess before it dried, preventing damage to the SUV.
Wondering if they had been targeted, Amber Phillabaum posted details on the app Nextdoor and received a flood of replies. She said more than a dozen others also reported vehicles being pelted with eggs that same night and in recent weeks.
Some of the incidents took place in her neighborhood, and for others like Derek Campbell, it unfolded a few miles away on Levante Street.
Campbell's daughter's car was also egged the night before Veterans Day.
"Makes you think. It's concerning; what's going on and who's doing it?" said Campbell.
"Having fun is one thing, but damaging property is another," said Amber Phillabaum.
All the victims live in Carlsbad, but they don't appear to share anything specific in common.
Most of the vandalism involved vehicles, although in one case, a home was hit.
