Isle of Wight County school bus drivers arrived Monday at work to discover that the tires on 18 buses had been punctured and deflated, school officials said.

Repairs began immediately, but the vandalism interrupted morning bus routes for Smithfield High School, Smithfield Middle School, Carrollton Elementary School, Hardy Elementary School and Westside Elementary School. All buses affected by the vandalism were repaired, and afternoon buses ran on schedule, officials said.

The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the vandalism. Preliminary estimates place the material damage costs at $4,500. That total is expected to increase due to labor and other associated costs incurred due to this incident.

Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact First Sgt. Paul Phelps with the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Department at 357-6412.