A string of vandalisms across the city has come to an end as nine suspects were arrested.

Five juvenile suspects ranging in age from 16-17 and four 18-year-olds are being held at the Warren County Youth Detention Center and the Issaquena County Correctional Facility, pending further investigation and formal charges.

The arrests were the results of tips from Crime Stoppers and the community and old-fashioned police work.

“We did receive a Crime Stoppers tip that will be paid as well as a tip from another individual,” Vicksburg Police Department Capt. Sandra Williams said. “Crime Stoppers definitely works.”

The tip gave the police department a lead to follow and police work led to additional arrests.

“They were not all arrested at the same time, Vicksburg Police Department Capt. Sandra Williams said. “We actually had to go out and find some of them. Once we had a couple of them identified it basically snowballed.”

“We received additional information and around 1 a.m. Saturday we had all nine in custody,” she said. “The first suspect was arrest was made around 3:30 p.m. Friday.”

“Crime will not be tolerated in the City of Vicksburg,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said. “We want people to know we are working to make this city safe.”

VPD had increased patrols since 25 car windows were shattered with a BB gun, early Monday beginning in the Drummond Street area — Drummond, National, Markam, Polk and Urban Court.

After apparently leaving the Drummond Street area, the malicious mischief continued onto East Avenue, Edna Drive and Military Avenue and then along Eisenhower, and Enchanted Drive, Kings Row and Hillside Drive.

Burglary did not appear to be a motive. Nothing was reported missing from the vandalized cars.

Then Tuesday tempered glass windows were shot and shattered at Miller Tire Mart, 1709 Clay St., and Auto Plus parts store, 1601 Clay St.

Again, burglary did not appear to be a motive as no stock was missing from Auto Plus, despite the fact that merchandise was within arm’s length of the shattered window.

In addition to the three businesses, a window of a 1992 GMC was reported shot out at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday in the 2400 block of Washington St.

Anyone who had property destroyed during the crime spree should submit documentation indicating the cost of repairs to the Criminal Investigations Division at the Vicksburg Police Department.

Chief Armstrong will release additional information on Monday, July 20th, including photos of the suspects who are 18 years of age.