A spree of breaking car  windows erupted a few weeks ago during MEA week and the local police departments are no closer to solving the crimes than they were the morning after the incidents.

 

According to victims and the police in two communities, someone drove through the neighborhoods of Big Lake and Becker with a high-powered BB gun and shot out dozens of car windows.

 

“We have no potential suspects at this time and no motive other than causing damage to things not owned by the perps,” said Becker Police Chief Brent Baloun.

 

Big Lake Police Chief Joel Scharf has the same frustrations.

 

“It’s a challenging crime,” he said. “We have no witnesses and the crime is virtually silent — with the suspects shooting a weapon that is practically noiseless.”

 

The shootings occurred overnight on the days of Oct. 14-15. Chief Baloun said his department started fielding complaints the morning of Oct. 15 when people were preparing to set out for the day.

 

Baloun said his department received eight calls while Scharf said he fielded nine calls of vehicles damaged from what looked like gunfire. Scharf added that Monticello also reported they had several incidents that same night.

 

One of the victims was Ashley Graaf, who had been away from her home for a few hours when she got a call from her brother, Tyler, who discovered the damaged car.

 

“My brother called me and was freaking out, thinking someone had broken into my car,” she said. “While on the phone, I started listing off stuff that I knew I had in my car and he said that it was all still there.”

 

Ashley’s car had its driver’s side window shattered, with glass inside and out the vehicle.

 

“I immediately called the Becker police department to report it and soon an officer (Sgt. Jason Lawson) came to my house.”

 

After investigation at the Graff home and at each scene, it was determined that a BB gun was used to break the windows in a drive-by situation since several neighborhoods were hit on the same night.

 

Unfortunately, the Graaf’s insurance for the vehicle did not have glass coverage so the entire cost to replace the window came out of their own pockets.

 

“I don't get why someone would intentionally vandalize other people’s property,” said Ashley. (If the person was caught), I would probably have them pay my family back for the damages that they caused.” 

 

A service department technician at Becker Collision and Glass said they have worked on about half-a-dozen-or-so cars over the past few weeks that had broken windows due to the drive-by shootings.

 

In Becker, Baloun said the crimes happened on the blocks of Brenda Blvd., Rolling Ridge Rd., Hillcrest Ave. and Brant Ct.

 

Scharf said the crimes committed in Big Lake were on Turnberry Trail, Powell Street, Hill Street, Edinburgh Way, Atlantic Blvd., Park Ave. and Pondview Drive.

 

Anyone with any information on who may be responsible can contact the Becker or Big Lake Police Departments and may remain anonymous. Becker PD is 763-261-4300. Big Lake PD is 763-263-2500.