MCSO investigating about 120 cases of vehicle vandalism in Queen Creek
Apr 24, 2019, 3:18 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2019, 4:35 pm
PHOENIX — If you live in Queen Creek and woke up to your vehicle damaged overnight recently, you’re not alone.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, around 120 incidents of criminal damage to vehicles have been reported in the Queen Creek neighborhoods.
MCSO officers first responded to a call of vandalism on April 19, but they were quickly flooded with more and more reports of vehicle damage in the area.
“Detectives were called in and we soon found out that this was a series of vandalisms that had been going on in several different neighborhoods in the town of Queen Creek,” MCSO public information officer Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said during a press conference Wednesday.
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“We are working with other law enforcement agencies right now to include Pinal County, and it’s my understanding they also have approximately 20-plus calls in reference to this vandalism/criminal damage.”
On Thursday, MCSO said it had identified and detained two juvenile “persons of interest.”
(1/2) This morning Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigators located a potential suspect vehicle and detained 2 persons of interest in reference to the recent incidents of criminal damage occurring in and around the Town of Queen Creek. Both persons of interest are juveniles pic.twitter.com/Sm96MDUz5w
— Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (@mcsoaz) April 25, 2019
It’s believed that the suspects used BB guns to shoot out car windows, while also getting out and smashing windows with unknown objects. In addition to the windows, the suspects also kicked in car doors. There is no pattern for the vandalism.
Enriquez added that although there has been criminal damage, nothing has been stolen and there’s no reports of injuries.
While the investigation is still underway and there is no known motive at this time, it’s believed there are multiple suspects involved.
According to authorities, the vehicles used by the suspects are dark in color.
To help in the investigation, MCSO is asking for residents to check their home surveillance for any possible leads and report anything suspicious.
Anyone with any information on the criminal damage is urged to contact MCSO at 602-876-TIPS or 602-876-1011.
