By Katherine Hapgood | khapgood@alextimes.com

Over the past few days, residents of Old Town have reported an increase in vandalism incidents that some claim is evidence of gangs “marking their territory.”

Reported incidents happened in Old Town and Potomac Yard and seemingly targeted houses with the numbers one and eight in their addresses. In one video captured on a resident’s security camera, a man appearing to be in his late 20s to early 30s, with dark hair and facial hair, is seen scratching out the number on a townhome.

A resident on Portner Road in North Old Town reported a sign had been tagged with the words “Mara Salvatucha,” another name for MS-13, an international criminal organization that has had a presence in the region.

Anyone with further information of the incidents can contact Alexandria Police Department Detective Stephen Riley at 703-746- 6225.