Two separate witnesses saw three youths, aged between 18 and 19, run on the bonnets of vehicles in the front row of Boulevard Motors about 7.15pm.

Acting Sgt Tony Blucher, of Wodonga police, said the trio drank at Edwards Tavern before walking down Melbourne Rd.

He said they left footprints on the bonnets of seven vehicles, including utes, sedans and four-wheel drives.

Although dents were noticeable in some bonnets, the light made it difficult to identify how much damage had been done.

Boulevard Motors sales manager Werner Schmehl said a replacement bonnet would cost between $700 and $1000.

“There’ll be a few dollars in it,” he said.

Sgt Blucher said car yards were regular targets for vandals.

“You’ll end up with all the yards with fences out the front. Then people can’t come to look at the cars at night,” he said.

He said the three pairs of shoes were seized to match the footprints to those left on the bonnets.