Hess's Toy Soldier Hit with Graffiti, Reward Offered

's warehouse and its toy soldier holiday decoration -- once at guard at Hess's department store in downtown Allentown -- was tagged with graffiti over the weekend, and the store's owner is offering a $500 reward in the case.

"I take tremendous pride in the appearance of the building and property and want the responsible party prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," owner Greg Ebert said in a release.

He said the graffiti was done either Saturday night (May 12) or early Sunday morning (May 13). It was reported to South Whitehall police on Monday.

The toy soldier, which Ebert said was tagged with various signs, is a Christmas decoration and one of the original soldiers that used to stand in front of Hess's every holiday season. The warehouse wall was also hit with graffit. 

Ebert Furniture Gallery, at 3602 Broadway, South Whitehall, displays the toy soldier in front of the store entrance from late November through early January. The hope is to have the soldier repainted in time for the 2012 holiday season.

Ebert is offering the $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed the crime.

Anyone with information can contact the South Whitehall police at 610-398-0337.