160 windows broken out in BB shooting spree
Ted Britton thought his Rentway was safe. Since he became manager in 2001, it had never been vandalized. For good reason: at 27th and Holdrege streets, it’s across the street from a police station. But even Britton’s Rentway didn’t escape a BB and pellet gun vandalism spree over the weekend, which left 160 businesses, homes and cars pelted by projectiles and at least $30,000 worth of repair bills.
“They must have been brave, especially in front of the police station,” Britton said. “The window exploded — a million little pieces all over the store. It definitely sucks.”
On Monday, a piece of plyboard covered a 5-by-8-foot window on the north side of Britton’s store. A couple of blocks south, tape held together a victimized window at Alps grocery store. A couple of blocks farther south, a mosaic of shattered glass decorated the facade of Advance America Cash Advance.
The damage — inflicted from Friday evening through Sunday morning — was concentrated in central Lincoln with a swath stretching south. However, related vandalisms were reported on the north, east and west edges of the city.
It’s not the first time this year BB gun vandals have struck citywide.
One month ago, vandals shot out the windows of about 90 Lincoln cars, causing $15,000 damage. No one has been arrested in those shootings.
In February, two Lincoln teens, who were later arrested, shot out the windows of 120 vehicles, causing at least $20,000 damage.
Police do not believe the sprees are related.
BB vandalisms, damage
2000: 297, $64,199
2001: 539, $156,456
2002: 563, $127,019
2003: 749, $208,214
2004: 550, $143,905
2005: 658, $180,586
Source: Lincoln Police Department
Who pays what?
Replacing a car’s side or back window costs at least $250. At most, $1,000. Windshield replacements range from $300 to $2,500.
Replacing an average 5-foot by 8-foot store window costs about $600.
Vandalism victims often foot at least part of the bill. Car insurance usually carries a minimum $100 deductible. Businesses often have $1,000 deductibles.
Victims can sue vandals for restitution. First, however, the criminals have to be caught.
Source: Lincoln police and The Auto Connection
“They must have been brave, especially in front of the police station,” Britton said. “The window exploded — a million little pieces all over the store. It definitely sucks.”
On Monday, a piece of plyboard covered a 5-by-8-foot window on the north side of Britton’s store. A couple of blocks south, tape held together a victimized window at Alps grocery store. A couple of blocks farther south, a mosaic of shattered glass decorated the facade of Advance America Cash Advance.
The damage — inflicted from Friday evening through Sunday morning — was concentrated in central Lincoln with a swath stretching south. However, related vandalisms were reported on the north, east and west edges of the city.
It’s not the first time this year BB gun vandals have struck citywide.
One month ago, vandals shot out the windows of about 90 Lincoln cars, causing $15,000 damage. No one has been arrested in those shootings.
In February, two Lincoln teens, who were later arrested, shot out the windows of 120 vehicles, causing at least $20,000 damage.
Police do not believe the sprees are related.
BB vandalisms, damage
2000: 297, $64,199
2001: 539, $156,456
2002: 563, $127,019
2003: 749, $208,214
2004: 550, $143,905
2005: 658, $180,586
Source: Lincoln Police Department
Who pays what?
Replacing a car’s side or back window costs at least $250. At most, $1,000. Windshield replacements range from $300 to $2,500.
Replacing an average 5-foot by 8-foot store window costs about $600.
Vandalism victims often foot at least part of the bill. Car insurance usually carries a minimum $100 deductible. Businesses often have $1,000 deductibles.
Victims can sue vandals for restitution. First, however, the criminals have to be caught.
Source: Lincoln police and The Auto Connection
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