TROOPERS ARREST THREE YOUTHS FOR SHOOTING AT VEHICLES ON I-95 IN CECIL CO.

(ELKTON, MD) – Three juveniles, who are believed to have shared a BB rifle to shoot the windows of more than a dozen vehicles traveling on I-95 in Cecil Co., have been identified and charged by state troopers who apprehended them within minutes of the latest incident.

The three were charged late last night as juveniles and are identified only as males, ages 14, 15, and 16, from Elkton, Md. They are charged with reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property, throwing/shooting an object at a vehicle, and trespassing. All three were released to the custody of parents, pending a juvenile hearing.

On January 16, 2015, Maryland State Police at the JFK Highway Barrack took their first recent report regarding a vehicle window damaged while traveling south on I-95 near Deaver Road, in Elkton. Other incidents occurred on the 23rd and 24th. Troopers began patrol checks in the area in an attempt to identify those responsible.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m. yesterday, a trooper was making a patrol check in the area when a victim called the barrack to report his window had just been shot out. The trooper contacted the victim while he was still on the phone with the barrack. Additional troopers were summoned to the area. A search led troopers to a home in the area. A vehicle leaving the home was stopped and three juveniles and an adult were contacted. One of the juveniles lived at the nearby home.

Further investigation led to the identification of all three juveniles in the car as those responsible for the shootings. Troopers recovered a BB rifle that belonged to one of the three at the nearby home where he lived.

At this time, the investigation indicates the three may have been responsible for shooting at and damaging the passenger side windows in 18 vehicles. The vehicles are all types, including cars, buses, and tractor trailers. The total cost of the damage to the vehicles is estimated to be at least $15,000.

Troopers found where the Maryland Transportation Authority fence that runs along the interstate had been cut, permitting access to the southbound lanes of I-95. They believe the three suspects set up near the interstate and aimed for the passenger windows of vehicles traveling southbound on I-95. The investigation indicates the three may have shot at 50 vehicles, striking 20 or more. The three took turns using the BB gun owned by one of the suspects to shoot at vehicles, usually during the hours between 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

When the windows were struck by the projectile, some shattered, some cracked, and some sustained just a hole. Fortunately, no drivers reported any injury to themselves or their passengers. However, most reported being very frightened when their window was struck and shattered.

Troopers believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who sustained passenger window damage during January in the area of southbound I-95 and Deaver Road near Elkton, is urged to contact the Maryland State Police at 410-537-1150.