Trump supporter says home, cars and signs were vandalized

A damaged Trump support sign, eggs, smashed windows and a burned American flag. That is what Hollister homeowner J.W. Paine woke to find Wednesday morning.

“My first thought was anger, and then disappointment that my family had to go through this,” said Paine.

According to Paine the damage was done early in the morning. No one was hurt but his family still feels nervous.

“My 13-year-old is scared to come back home right now and my wife is not happy,” said Paine.

Paine said his house has been targeted three times and the American flag has been burned twice but this is the first time the vandals broke his car windows.

“I just got the car for my daughter she just turned 15,” said Paine. “We are going to fix it up and give her a car next year.”

Police were called to the scene but say without any suspect information it’s going to be a tough case. Paine said he’s just glad it hasn’t been worse.

“I am lucky it was just this damage it could have been worse,” said Paine.

The vandalism in Hollister comes during a heated race for the White House, but Rob Bernosky, regional vice chair of the California Republican Party, said it doesn’t matter what party you support — vandalism isn’t the answer.

“It’s OK to disagree with someone else’s candidate or an elected official or another party but to resort to violence is just plain wrong,” said Bernosky.

People passing by to offer support for Paine also echoed those sentiments.

“I never thought anything like this would happen in this community,” said former Hollister resident Homero Carrillo.

Paine said he’ll continue to display his Trump signs but adds that it’s OK if someone disagrees with him just leave his property alone.

“I vote for who I want. You vote for who you want, said Paine.” “There is no reason for us to hate each other.”

A friend of Paine’s started an online fundraising website. He is hoping to raise enough money to cover insurance deductibles and repair costs.

“Several months ago I experienced bird-dogging firsthand when I attended the San Jose Trump rally,” Paine wrote. “I never thought that this would happen in my small town of Hollister. It’s okay to disagree but, I shouldn’t be attacked for what I believe in.”

KION’s Paul Dudley is covering the story and will have a full report tonight at 10 and 11.