2 Arrested After Alleged BB Gun, Window-Smashing Spree

WHITMAN, MA — Two men were arrested early Saturday morning for allegedly vandalizing several vehicles and leaving the scene of a crash.

Whitman Police responded to the Temple Street fire station shortly before 1 a.m. for a report of a man who was shot by a BB gun while driving. The victim said a dark sedan with two men pulled up next to him, and the passenger - later identified as 31-year-old Joseph Shields of Easton - shot at him with a BB gun.

The victim told police he ducked and drove away, but a second shot shattered his rear window. He stopped at the fire station, where he was treated by firefighters. He described the suspects and said where they went.

Police then received reports from residents on Washington Street and Old Colony Way, one reporting a window smash and one reporting someone's vehicle being struck. Both reports said a black sedan fled the scene.

An officer came across a black sedan with the two men matching the suspects' description and tried to stop it. The driver, later identified as 23-year-old Kyle Gaven of Abington, allegedly sped away before stopping on Stetson Terrace, where both men were arrested.

Police searched the vehicle and found a BB gun, ammunition, and CO2 cartridges.

Police said Gaven appeared to be under the influence of marijuana.

Several vehicles were subsequently located with shattered windows in the area.

Gaven was charged with OUI drugs, failure to stop for a police officer, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and nine counts of malicious destruction of property under $1,200.

Shields was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and nine counts of malicious destruction of property under $1,200.

Gaven was released on $500 bail. Shields was held on $500 bail and transported to Plymouth County Correctional Facility. Both men are expected to be arraigned Monday in Brockton District Court.

"These individuals caused significant damage to many residents' property, while also assaulting a motorist, at the risk of causing a serious crash," Police Chief Scott Benton said. "It's fortunate that nobody was seriously hurt as a result of their conduct, and it was alert and excellent police work that brought this to a safe and successful conclusion."

Whitman Police photos: Shields, Gaven