Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Police investigate vehicle vandalism

Agencies receive more than 30 reports of broken windows


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

    More than 30 vehicles in Hailey and Blaine County have had windows broken out within the last few days, with the damage believed to be from projectiles fired by either a BB or pellet gun.
    Hailey police reported in a news release Tuesday that the vandalism, occurring late at night or early in the morning, first occurred on Tuesday, March 11, and continued through Monday, March 17.
    Police as of Tuesday morning had received 31 reports of broken windows, with 30 of the reports from within the city and one outside of city jurisdiction in Blaine County.
    Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said Monday that the vandalism has occurred throughout the city. There have been reports from the South Woodside subdivision to north of the Mother Lode subdivision and as far west as River Street.
    Gunter said police believe the crimes are being committed by someone driving by in a motor vehicle and firing a weapon at parked cars. Because of the amount of damage inflicted, Gunter said anyone apprehended could be charged with malicious injury to property, a felony.
    The Hailey Police Department news release states that in the incidents only one window per vehicle is being shot out or broken. The majority of the vehicles vandalized were parked in the city right-of-way when the damage occurred.
    “For the time being, HPD recommends parking your vehicles in your driveway or as close to your home or property as possible,” the news release states.
    Investigation into the vandalism is continuing. The news release states that officers will continue to “saturate our city’s subdivisions with extra patrols during the nighttime hours.”
    Police are also requesting public assistance in apprehending the culprit or culprits. Police ask that any suspicious or unusual activity be reported as soon as possible. Hailey police can be reached at (208) 788-3531.




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