ASUZA, Calif. — An 81-year-old man who investigators say terrorized a Southern California neighborhood for years with a slingshot has been arrested, police said.
While conducting an investigation, detectives “learned that during the course of 9-10 years, dozens of citizens were being victimized by a serial slingshot shooter,” the Asuza Police Department said in a statement.
The man is suspected of breaking windows and car windshields and of narrowly missing people with ball bearings shot from a slingshot, the statement said. No injuries were reported.
The man was arrested Thursday after officers served a search warrant and found a slingshot and ball bearings at his home in Asuza, about 25 miles (40 km) east of Los Angeles, police said.
Azusa police Lt. Jake Bushey said Saturday that detectives learned that most of the ball bearings were shot from the suspect’s backyard.
“We’re not aware of any kind of motive other than just malicious mischief,” Bushey told the Southern California News Group.
He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
An 81-year-old man in California has been arrested by police for allegedly using a slingshot to terrorize his neighborhood. The man, whose identity has not been released, was taken into custody after multiple reports of property damage and harassment in the area.
According to authorities, the man had been using a slingshot to shoot rocks and other projectiles at homes and vehicles in the neighborhood. Residents reported hearing loud noises and finding broken windows and dents in their property, leading to fear and unease among the community.
The man’s actions were not only causing damage to property but also posing a potential danger to residents. Police were able to track down the suspect after receiving multiple complaints and conducting an investigation into the incidents.
It is unclear what motivated the man to engage in such behavior, but it serves as a reminder that individuals of all ages can commit crimes that impact their community. The elderly man now faces charges of vandalism, harassment, and potentially other offenses related to his actions.
This incident highlights the importance of reporting suspicious or criminal behavior to authorities, as well as the need for law enforcement to take swift action in addressing such incidents. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of engaging in destructive or harmful behavior towards others.
As the case unfolds, residents in the California neighborhood can hopefully find some peace of mind knowing that the suspect has been apprehended and that steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the community. It is a reminder that everyone has a responsibility to respect their neighbors and contribute to a peaceful and harmonious environment.
