Rock-Throwing Incidents 'Callous, Cowardly': Acevedo

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX - Police are searching tirelessly for the culprit or culprits that have been throwing rocks at Austin drivers for about a year-and-a-half.

Austin Police chief Art Acevedo called the antics “callous, cowardly attacks on innocent motorists” in a press conference Tuesday.

The attacks have taken place mostly along I-35. Two people have already been injured by rocks being hurled at their vehicles. The most recent incident occurred Monday near St. Edward’s University, and there have been more than 50 cases of rocks being thrown at motorists since June 2014.

Acevedo said in the press conference his biggest fear is that someone will get killed as a result of these rock-throwing incidents. The police chief is urging any victims to call police immediately instead of going home and calling hours later. Getting police on the scene right away makes them more likely to succeed in making an arrest

“it is critical that if you are a victim you pull over to a safe location but immediately call 911 because we want to be able to respond quickly, we want to respond aggressively...” Acevedo said.

Acevedo said in the press conference the department will not discuss the case again because information on police using cameras to investigate was provided to the media and caused the rock-throwers to move South.

The greater Austin Crime Commission is providing a $10,000 award to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction in hopes of finally catching the person or persons responsible.

“The thing about criminals [is] somebody is getting their jollies out of victimizing innocent people, out of terrorizing a community. Somebody out there knows something and I urge you to step forward not just for the $10,000 but I urge you to step forward and say something before someone is killed,” Acevedo said in the press conference.