Vandals Continue To Shoot Out Car Windows
By Tom Mustin
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4) - Police across the south Denver metro area are searching for vandals who are shooting out car windows. Several incidents have been reported over the past few months. In some cases, the cars have been looted as well.
Mandi Engebretson is happy to be home with her two daughters, after vandals targeted her car at the Littleton-Mineral Light Rail Station.
"There was a small hole and the back window was completely shattered," the Highlands Ranch woman told CBS4's Tom Mustin. "We're really lucky no one was in my car at the time."
Last week, Mandi and her husband parked their Toyota 4Runner at the station to go to the Broncos game. When they returned, someone had shot out the vehicle's back window and tail light.
"Littleton Police told us it happens fairly frequently. It was panic at first, then anger. How could someone do this to my car?"
Similar incidents have been reported at trailheads and in neighborhoods in Jefferson County, Douglas County and Littleton. The weapons vary from BB guns to pellet guns. Littleton Police say the incidents have no consistent pattern, and detectives have no suspects. The criminals are most likely juveniles.
Pictures show the bullet hole that sent broken glass cascading across Mandi's back seat.
"It looked like a bullet hole. It was scary. I thought this was a safe place to park."
In Mandi's case, nothing was taken from the car, but the young mother says the damage cost several hundred dollars. RTD says as of now, surveillance video at the station has come up empty. Mandi says she telling her story so other families will be aware.
"I would like this to not be something that happens to someone else's family.
And as police search for troublesome needles in a haystack, Mandi has a message for the elusive bandits, "I really hope someone decides to think of a better way to have fun over the weekend, other than vandalizing someone's property and potentially hurting someone."
Police say parking in well-lit areas, and keeping valuables out of cars can reduce your chances of being a victim. If you have any information in these crimes, call the Littleton Police Department at (303) 794-1551.
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.
