Help sought with spate of BB gun vandalism

Spokane police are asking the public’s help in solving a rash of broken windows this week and damage to the windshield of a bus.

Police suspect the damage was caused by a BB or pellet gun.

The police department has taken 60 to 80 reports of malicious mischief in the past week, about twice the usual volume. The vast majority of incidents have been vehicle and house windows shot out using BB or pellet guns, department crime analyst Tom Michaud said. Many have been reported in the East Central neighborhood.

The bulk of the vandalism happened Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, he said.

Many windows were damaged along East 11th Avenue from the 1200 block to the 1900 block, police said.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday, a Spokane Transit Authority bus driver on the Fifth Avenue and Haven Street route pulled over after he noticed small holes appear in his windshield. No riders were injured, but the bus had holes and dents down one side and in some side windows. Police believe this damage was also caused by BB gun pellets, and they believe it was caused by the same person or group responsible for the windows.

The crimes are misdemeanors, but multiple incidents causing total damage over $750 can be charged as a felony.

Because these incidents have been frequent and occurred in the same vicinity, police believe someone knows who is doing the damage.

Anyone who has information about the perpetrators or has been victimized is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.