Antonio de Oliveira is stuck with a $150 bill to fix his vehicle's side-view mirror after vandals smashed it early Wednesday. (DAVE THOMAS/QMI Agency)

TORONTO - A group of bat-wielding vandals smashed about two dozen vehicles in a Toronto neighbourhood early Wednesday, leaving residents to pick up the pieces -- and the bills.

Cops were called after four people were seen walking up a residential street with baseball bats at about 2:45 a.m.

By the time officers arrived, at least 23 vehicles had been smashed, Toronto Police Const. Tony Vella said.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said he awoke to the sounds of bats hitting vehicles.

"There was 'smash, smash.' I heard about six," the man said, standing across the street from his yellow Volkswagen Beetle and its smashed side-view mirror.

The man said he saw four people walk up the street with bats, pick up a discarded mattress from the sidewalk and throw it on the street.

Police busted the quartet -- two men and two women between the ages of 18 and 22.

"Hats off to the police. They did a great job," the man said.

While Vella said it appeared alcohol played a factor, the man disagreed, saying, "I don't think they were drunk. They were just jackasses.

"I hope the judge makes them pay because I'm not going to pay insurance."

With his Beetle -- licence plate: MR HAPPY -- parked in front of the Kadampa Buddhist Temple, he added: "It's bad karma to hit Mr. Happy in front of the Buddhist temple."

Antonio de Oliveira said he also won't be going through insurance to fix damage to his truck. While his premiums won't go up, he's stuck with a $150 bill to fix his vehicle's side-view mirror.

"What can you do? People do stupid things," de Oliveira said. "They got caught. That's the main thing, so let the system run its course."

Vella said the vandalism appeared to be "a random act."

Anyone who had their vehicle damaged and did not speak to police was asked to call 416-808-1400.

tamara.cherry@sunmedia.ca