A 81-year-old man accused of being a 'serial slingshot shooter' has been charged for over ten years of suspected vandalism, according to California authorities.
Prince King was recently apprehended in Azusa, California, following a protracted inquiry that led authorities to conclude he had been persistently causing havoc for 9 to 10 years, resulting in an estimated $10,000 in damages according to the Azusa Police Department.
Previous sporadic vandalism complaints eventually caught the attention of a sergeant who recognized certain patterns, prompting deeper investigation.
As per Lt. Robert Chivas, the situation was more than just random acts of vandalism. Police discovered someone had "smashed windows, windshields, and even nearly hit people with ball bearings" throughout the years.
King now faces five counts of felony vandalism and two misdemeanor charges, as detailed in his Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office court papers. He's pleaded not guilty.
Chivas described an instance where they observed King committing a crime, using a slingshot to release a ball bearing.
During a search on May 23, investigators also uncovered ball bearings and a slingshot at King's residence, leading to his arrest.
Currently, King awaits his next court appearance on June 17, having been released on his own recognizance. CNN reached out to King and the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office but have not heard back.
It's uncertain whether King had any personal relationships with the victims or what motivated these alleged incidents, according to Chivas.
Fabiole Madrigal Rodriguez relocated to the Azusa neighbourhood around eight months ago and discovered one of her garage windows was damaged, necessitating a $500 repair.
However, it took the involvement of police to enlighten Rodriguez about the possible serial vandal, she said.
"I was worried. I have kids, young children. We like to go outside, play with the dog, and it's important to be safe," Rodriguez stated.
Once she learned about her elderly neighbour's arrest, Rodriguez expressed disbelief.
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The Azusa Police Department reported over $10,000 in damages caused by the alleged vandalism, affecting the community where Prince King resides, including some of his neighbors like Fabiole Madrigal Rodriguez.
Despite the charges against him, it's unclear if Prince King had any direct interactions with his alleged victims or if there was any specific motive behind the incidents, as stated by Lt. Robert Chivas.
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