BELMONT, N.C. -- A wild crime scene in Belmont. Police say a teen duo is responsible for vandalizing at least 60 cars across two counties. Their weapon of choice police say was a BB gun.
- At least 60 cars across two counties vandalized
- Belmont police have charged a pair of teens
- Police are looking for more victims
"[There’s] just a lot of broken glass," said Laney Meadows, who lives in the area where dozens of cars and vans parked in driveways as well as along the street were hit.
Some of those vehicles looked as if the owner didn't yet know the window was in pieces on the ground. Other windows were temporarily protected with plastic.
"They [the police] was like all the cars have been vandalized and yours are broken too," said Jacob Robinson. He and several of his Church Street neighbors were startled from bed by officers early Friday morning.
"The cops banging on the front door," Meadows said. She came out to the same scene. Her boyfriend's very first car had been hit. "It's his only way around," Meadows explained.
Belmont police have charged a pair of teens for using BB guns overnight Thursday into Friday to shoot at least 60 vehicles across Belmont, Gaston County, and Mooresville in Iredell County. Those charged are 18-year-old Duncan Hopkins and Nigel Baker, who's 19th birthday was also the day of this alleged crime spree. "So, I guess it was his birthday thing to do," Meadows said.
Robinson says about a year ago, vehicles in his community were vandalized nearly the same way. But that time, only one of his grandmother's windows were shattered. "It was like a thousand dollars to replace one window," Robinson said.
They are victims left bearing the brunt of a serious stunt and once again sweeping up the damage. "What's the point,” Meadows asked in referring to the suspects and the damage they caused. “You're gonna get caught probably, and you're gonna get charged."
Belmont police are looking for more victims. If you think you have damaged caused by those two teens vandalism spree, they want you to give them a call.
Police say they caught up with Baker and Hopkins during a traffic stop. Officers say they found more than one BB gun inside the car.