Suspect Vehicle Image May Hold Key To 165+ Vandalism Cases
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4)- A spree of vandalism aimed at cars and trucks parked on neighborhood streets has topped more than 165 incidents since April, according to Fort Collins police.
Since mid-April, officers have received reports of damage to vehicle windows and windshields, shot out overnight, apparently by using a BB or pellet gun.
Thursday, police in Fort Collins released the first image of a potential suspect in the case since the vandalism began more than six weeks ago. It was captured in a neighborhood on someone's surveillance camera.
On Benthaven Street, in the Four Seasons subdivision, roommates Ben Gaither and Jason Heck have each had their car and truck windows shot out, on different nights. On a third occasion, the roommates say the suspect returned, and fired at another vehicle outside their home, but missed.
"I was mad," Gaither said, "You work hard for your money and sometimes you've got other things to take care of and now you've got to take care of this, too."
After the third incident, Heck says a third roommate attempted to follow the shooter, but lost site of the suspect's vehicle as it drove out of their neighborhood.
"Just stop, plain and simple, just stop," Heck said of whoever is causing the damage.
The unsolved cases frustrate residents. Police say they've counted 166 incidents in neighborhoods across the city with no obvious pattern.
Leslie Nance also lives on Benthaven Street, where two more of her neighbors have had their vehicles windows broken.
"We live in a safe neighborhood and then this happens and we all kind of panic a bit," Nance said.
In addition to releasing an image of a potential suspect, police also released an updated map of where the vandalism has occurred.
Police do not know whether the damage is a result of one person working alone, or a group of people. They estimate the total cost of the damage thus far to reach up to $75,000.
From Fort Collins Police Services:
A cash reward is available for information leading to an arrest in these cases. Citizens with unreported details about these incidents, security footage in these locations, or potential suspect information should contact Sergeant Paul Wood at 970-224-6132. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.
Lauren DiSpirito is CBS4's Northern Newsroom reporter. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Lauren. Share your story ideas with her here.