Slingshot Vandals Terrorize Westlake, Police Ask Public for Help

WESTLAKE, OH - Police are asking residents to keep an eye out for a vandal, or vandals, wielding a slingshot. Several incidents have been reported to police recently, all involving damage that appears to have been made with a slingshot.

Residents have also been targeted, with one man taking a marble to the ear. Witnesses say that the slingshot wielding vandals could be hitting people, cars, and businesses in drive-by shootings.

Between Nov. 13 and Nov. 15, five businesses at The Colonnade, 26615 Center Ridge Rd. had door or window glass damaged by marbles. The destruction has cost $8,000 in damages. A window on a 2000 Chryler minivan parked in that lot was also broken, causing $300 damage. Police suspect a slingshot because the discovery of the marbles.

In addition to the shattered glass at The Colonnade, three more reports of marbles being shot at vehicles were received on Nov. 14 at 2:30 p.m. A Cuyahoga Falls man driving his employer’s truck had the windshield damaged by the slingshot-wielding front seat passenger of a dark colored sedan on Sperry Dr. An Avon Lake couple were in their 2015 Ford pickup on Detroit Rd. when their windshield was struck by an unknown projectile. They did not see a suspect. Lastly, a 56-year-old Westlake man was hit in the ear by an unknown projectile while driving on Detroit Rd. He suspects the two white male occupants of a silver 2-door car with a rear spoiler; they were staring at him before and then laughing right after he was hit. He did not require medical attention.

Anyone with information on this spate of criminal damage and assaults is asked to call Westlake PD at 440.871.3311.

Photos from Westlake Police