A West Covina man has been taken into custody following a series of vandalism acts that left numerous residents with slashed tires. William Berni, 32, was arrested on July 30 for his suspected involvement in the incidents.
On the morning of July 28, the West Covina Police Department was alerted to multiple instances of tire slashing in the 1800 block of W. Yarnell Street and an adjacent apartment complex. The authorities responded to 16 separate vandalism reports. Surveillance video and physical evidence were thoroughly reviewed to quickly identify the suspect. It was tips from the community that helped to swiftly pinpoint Berni as the person of interest. A vigilant victim spotted Berni near his residence and promptly contacted the police, leading to his arrest without further incident.
Once in custody, Berni was booked at the West Covina Jail on the charge of felony vandalism, a violation under Penal Code 594(b)(1) PC. The particulars regarding the motive behind the vandalism and the object used to carry out the tire slashings are still under investigation.
The police used this occurrence to highlight the vital role that residents play in maintaining public safety, urging for continuous collaboration between the citizens and law enforcement. "The importance of residents and law enforcement working collaboratively to solve crime and keep the community safe" is a sentiment that the West Covina Police Department has put forth in the aftermath of the incident. Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact Detective Salas at (626) 939-8598 or to anonymously provide tips through Crime Stoppers or the department’s official website.
Details pertaining to Berni's arrest and the events that unfurled were released by Sergeant Steven Spagon and made available to the public on August 1st.
