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15 buildings and apartments damaged in Des Moines vandalism spress
Des Moines Police arrested the suspect in a spree of felony vandalism that damaged 15 homes and businesses in just a few hours.
DES MOINES, Wash. - Des Moines Police arrested the suspect in a spree of felony vandalism that damaged 15 homes and businesses in just a few hours.
Police were called Thursday to reports of a glass break alarm at a store downtown around 4 a.m. Officers saw the front window had been shattered, but could not find any suspects in the area.
Shortly after this, police say they received several 911 calls of rocks being thrown through the windows of businesses and homes nearby.
"I heard a noise, got up to investigate and came out into the living room and found a big mess and a rock laying in the middle of the floor," said Richard Waldron, a resident who had his windows smashed.
Waldron said a few hours later, a friend called him to tell him he wasn't the only one who had damage.
Banks, a bar, a salon and restaurants were all hit.
Officers kept looking for a suspect, but had no luck.
Victims submitted surveillance footage of the vandalism, and a Getting People Services (GPS) officer recognized the suspect in the videos—reportedly a person they had been trying to connect to resources for several months.
Police honed their search and found the suspect, who was wearing the same clothes as seen in the surveillance video.
The man was arrested and charged with felony malicious mischief. Police said they have had more than 100 interactions with the man previously.
Police told FOX 13 that the damages could total over $40,000.
The suspect can only be charged with felony malicious mischief because he never went into the businesses or homes and didn't steal anything.
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Anyone with additional video or information on the incident is urged to call Des Moines Police at (206) 878-3301 or submit a tip at (206) 870-6871.