Two 18-year-old men are facing accusations that they shot out car windows across Chesterfield Township and New Baltimore over several days, after investigators tracked down a suspect vehicle and found a pellet gun inside. Police arrested the pair in New Baltimore on Oct. 28, according to police.
Chesterfield Township Police Det. Sgt. Joe Feld said the two were arrested in New Baltimore after investigators identified a suspect vehicle involved in incidents over the prior three days, as reported by the Macomb Daily. Police located a pellet gun inside that vehicle, per the same report. The two arrested males are from Chesterfield Township and Sterling Heights, and vehicle windows were reported shot in both Chesterfield Township and New Baltimore, according to police. Police said further details were unavailable.
Surveillance Video Captured a White SUV Firing Multiple Rounds
Before the arrests, Chesterfield Township police were already investigating reports that multiple cars had their windows shattered overnight by what appeared to be a BB or pellet gun, according to WXYZ. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed a white SUV pulling up to a car parked along Red Creek Lane and firing multiple rounds, the station reported. One car parked on Julies Drive was shot seven times, while a Jeep on Crosscreek Drive had its driver's-side window shattered, according to the same footage.
Witnesses who reviewed the video noted the vehicle had a distinct sound consistent with an electric vehicle, WXYZ reported. It is not clear from available reporting whether that WXYZ account and the later arrest news from the Macomb Daily describe the same timeline of events, since the timing of the WXYZ report was not specified.
Potential Penalties Under Michigan Law
Michigan law addresses willful destruction of property in a way that could carry serious consequences for those convicted. According to an excerpt from the Michigan Legislature, a person who willfully engages in the type of conduct covered under Section 750.377a may be guilty of a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or three times the amount of the destruction. That excerpt is incomplete, so the statute's full elements and whether it applies to this case have not been established.
Vehicle vandalism sprees involving BB or pellet guns are not unique to Macomb County. A weekend spree of shots fired at vehicle windows in Rapid City, South Dakota, caused damage that could climb into the thousands of dollars, according to the Rapid City Journal, illustrating how costly this kind of property damage can become for vehicle owners.
Police Still Seeking Information
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incidents to contact Chesterfield Township Detective Mike Connell at 586-949-3829. The case remains under investigation as police continue working to determine the full scope of the damage across both communities.
