2008 Woodie Awards
Vandalism causes 'havoc' in community
Dylan Kingsley
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Front Page
When Eric Richardson walked into Smith's Cycle Center on Fourth Street, he saw immediately that the store had been vandalized.
"I saw a block of concrete and the shattered window," said the store's service manager. "I called the owner and the police immediately after that."
Richardson says he has no official estimates yet on the damages, but he says he hopes the police find who is responsible.
Smith's Cycle Center is just one several businesses in town, along with many vehicle owners, that have recently experienced vandalisms.
Pittsburg police say that just in the month of March, they have received over 90 reports of vandalism done to cars and businesses, compared to 51 for the same month last year.
Police say 56 of the incidents have had similar characteristics and are therefore most likely related. For the most part, police say, the suspect(s) have been using bricks, rocks and concrete blocks to shatter car and business windows.
"Basically they'll do a half dozen or so a night, lay off a little bit, and do it again," said Maj. Brent Narges of the Pittsburg Police Department. "They're causing havoc for a lot of people - a lot of grief."
Narges says that most of the vandalisms have occurred in the southern part of Pittsburg, but incidents have been reported all over the city.
Horton's Discount Liquor on Fourth Street was also vandalized with an estimated $400 in damages done to the front two windows of the store.
Travis Horton, owner of Horton's Liquor, says he believes the damages done on Fourth Street was a diversion so that the criminals could rob Creative Car Audio, up the block from his store.
"I hope (the criminals) are caught and are fully prosecuted," he said. "It's high time someone is caught."
Narges urges residents to park their cars off-street, if possible.
"Not everybody has the availability of parking their vehicles off the street ... but if anybody does have that option, I would take advantage of that just as an additional deterrent so your vehicle would be less apt to be targeted."
In a press release, Narges said the police department has been working to find the suspect(s) and has developed some information.
"We do have a few leads that we continue to follow up on. We have had additional manpower not only in the investigation process, but also physical presence on the street," Narges said.
To contact the Pittsburg Police with tips, call 231-1700. Callers may remain anonymous.
"I saw a block of concrete and the shattered window," said the store's service manager. "I called the owner and the police immediately after that."
Richardson says he has no official estimates yet on the damages, but he says he hopes the police find who is responsible.
Smith's Cycle Center is just one several businesses in town, along with many vehicle owners, that have recently experienced vandalisms.
Pittsburg police say that just in the month of March, they have received over 90 reports of vandalism done to cars and businesses, compared to 51 for the same month last year.
Police say 56 of the incidents have had similar characteristics and are therefore most likely related. For the most part, police say, the suspect(s) have been using bricks, rocks and concrete blocks to shatter car and business windows.
"Basically they'll do a half dozen or so a night, lay off a little bit, and do it again," said Maj. Brent Narges of the Pittsburg Police Department. "They're causing havoc for a lot of people - a lot of grief."
Narges says that most of the vandalisms have occurred in the southern part of Pittsburg, but incidents have been reported all over the city.
Horton's Discount Liquor on Fourth Street was also vandalized with an estimated $400 in damages done to the front two windows of the store.
Travis Horton, owner of Horton's Liquor, says he believes the damages done on Fourth Street was a diversion so that the criminals could rob Creative Car Audio, up the block from his store.
"I hope (the criminals) are caught and are fully prosecuted," he said. "It's high time someone is caught."
Narges urges residents to park their cars off-street, if possible.
"Not everybody has the availability of parking their vehicles off the street ... but if anybody does have that option, I would take advantage of that just as an additional deterrent so your vehicle would be less apt to be targeted."
In a press release, Narges said the police department has been working to find the suspect(s) and has developed some information.
"We do have a few leads that we continue to follow up on. We have had additional manpower not only in the investigation process, but also physical presence on the street," Narges said.
To contact the Pittsburg Police with tips, call 231-1700. Callers may remain anonymous.
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