Three teens charged in 51 vandalisms
Published 11:54 pm Friday, August 14, 2015
A set of 19-year-old twins and a 17-year-old were jailed Friday in a string of vandalism that damaged more than 50 vehicles this week in Warren County.
Dylan S. Parker and Devin C. Parker, both of 2606 Old Highway 27, were charged with felony malicious mischief, according to Warren County Jail records. The 17-year-old was taken to the Warren County Youth Detention Center, Sheriff Martin Pace said.
“This clears up all 51 cases that occurred in the county outside of the city limits,” Pace said.
The juvenile surrendered to deputies shortly after noon, and the Parkers surrendered just after 1 p.m., Pace said. Shortly after surrendering, the brothers appeared in Warren County Justice Court where Judge Jeff Crevitt set bail at $10,000 apiece.
The three are accused of using a BB gun to shoot windows out of vehicles in Oak Park subdivision, Lee Road, Gibson Road, China Grove, Warriors Trial, Haleys Point and several smaller side roads late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Several homes along the trail of destruction have security cameras, Pace said.
“One of the investigative steps that we took was to investigate every traffic stop that deputy sheriffs made on the night this occurred. One of the traffic stops that was made on a white pickup fit the description of a white truck seen on the security footage we received,” Pace said. “We were able to piece the puzzle together of that night and identify all three individuals.”
A total estimate of damages caused by the spree of vandalism was unavailable Friday.
“One of the requirements of the malicious mischief law we have to have submitted to us an actual written estimate of damage. We don’t have all those in yet from the victims but it’s going to be in the thousands of dollars,” Pace said.
The brothers were charged with a single count of malicious mischief, though additional counts could be added once estimates are received.
“Malicious mischief less than $1,000 is a misdemeanor, but the felonious malicious law allows the investigating agency or the prosecutor to aggregate the case,” Pace said. “We can show this was one continuing criminal event, therefore the value is combined to one felony case that includes all of the damage.”
The BB gun believed to have been used in the vandalism has not been recovered, Pace said.
The case is similar but unrelated to a string of vandalism in the city earlier this summer.
Vicksburg police received 37 reports of windows shot out of vehicles and businesses with a BB gun between July 12 and July 15.
Damian Jones, 19, and four 18-year-olds, Qunicy Brown, Travious Jackson, Robert Devoils and Joques Pierce were all charged with three counts of felony malicious mischief. In addition, six juveniles were detained and charged with felony malicious mischief. The case against the juveniles was handled in Warren County Youth Court where outcomes are confidential.