Police: Up To 17 Vehicles Hit By BB Gun Shots In Nassau County Vandalism Spree
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suburban shock spread through Nassau County as criminal mischief hit four villages.
As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, police believe youthful offenders on destructive joyrides have been shooting up vehicles and an area business with BB guns.
Up to 17 vehicles may have been damaged by BB gun shots in an apparent vandalism spree across the South Shore of Nassau County, according to police.
Investigators say vandals have shot out the windows of parked cars in Levittown, Wantagh, East Meadow and North Merrick since March 13.
"First of all, I feel lucky that we didn't get hit. But it's a little scary to have a nice quiet neighborhood have something like this happen. It's just very unnerving," one man told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.
Police report at least three vehicles were damaged by BB guns on Monday night.
"It's terrible, definitely, its frustrating. There's a couple of neighbors who also had it done," one Levittown resident said.
During a 36 hour period Nassau detectives said at least 17 shootings from BB guns dented sheet metal on car doors, exploded windows at a physical therapy office, and shattered dozens of car windows.
"After all the repairs are done and finished it's a little under $3,200 plus tax," Chelsea Horowitz said.
Horowitz's insurance will only pay for $1,000 so she's on the hook for most of the damage to her Range Rover.
"Cops came down the block and said ten cars on these two blocks have been hit, and one of them is mine," Mike Biggins said.
Detectives are searching for a white SUV, possibly a Chevrolet, that was seen at one of the incidents, according to police.
Fuzzy surveillance video barely shows a passenger pointing a BB gun.
"We are very concerned about that, not only damage to the car but people walking around in public, not only being shot but by ricochet off the window or the plate glass door," Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun, Nassau County Police said.
Pellets move at such velocity they can take out an eye or cause permanent damage. Investigators want the suspects off the street now.
"The fact that somebody could go out there -- with whatever type of gun it was -- a BB gun, a pellet gun, just random acts of violence. The most frustrating part, this person is still on the street and getting away with it," Horowitz said.
A reward has been offered in connection with the crime spree.
