An 81-year-old California man has been apprehended on suspicions of conducting a decade-long series of slingshot attacks.
Prince King was arrested after a police search revealed tools linked to numerous property damages in Azusa, California, NBC NEWS reported.
For nearly a decade, residents of the 900 block of North Enid Avenue in Azusa were living under the threat of an unknown assailant who damaged property with a slingshot. The police have now charged Prince King with these acts, accusing him of using a slingshot to break windows and windshields, creating a prolonged menace in the community.
The mysterious case gained significant attention due to its protracted nature and the random pattern of the attacks. According to Azusa Police, these attacks weren't random but targeted, though the criteria for choosing targets still need to be determined.
Lt. Jake Bushey of the Azusa Police emphasized that King's backyard was a recurring source of the ball bearings used in the attacks. Despite extensive investigations, police could not pinpoint a motive, suggesting the acts were purely driven by malice.
The breakthrough in the investigation arrived last Thursday when police executed a search warrant at King's home. The evidence collected, including the slingshot and ball bearings, directly linked King to the incidents, culminating in his arrest.
Despite the many residents' relief, some doubted King's responsibility for the damage. Discussions on social media reflect a community trying to reconcile the image of an elderly neighbor with that of a serial vandal.
Given the scope of these activities and their long span, Lt. Bushey's recount of the evidence plays a crucial part in understanding the severity of the situation:
Most ball bearings came from King's backyard or a nearby neighborhood. Police haven't identified a motive other than just malicious mischief. The shots weren't random, although he didn't know why certain people or properties were targets.
The arrest marks a significant turn in a saga that has spanned nearly a decade, leaving the community on edge and resulting in numerous property damages.
King's arrest moves to the judicial phase, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday. This proceeding will provide further insights into the case, possibly shedding light on the motivations behind the slingshot attacks.
Many in the community will watch closely, hoping for closure and understanding of the events that have disrupted their sense of security. The final resolution of this case resonates well beyond the immediate neighborhood, highlighting issues of community safety and law enforcement in dealing with unusual crime patterns.
In summary, the arrest of 81-year-old Prince King potentially concludes a bizarre saga of vandalism that plagued Azusa, California, for years. As the legal process unfolds, the community seeks retribution and explanations for the disruptions they've endured, marking an important chapter in local law enforcement history.
