9 OYS Crime Alert
TPD: Dozens more victims of 'BB gun vandals' coming forward
Reporter: Maggie Vespa
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Since 9OYS broke this story Sunday night, TPD says two things have happened.
One: more victims have come forward. Two: police have done a little digging, going back in their records, finding similar shootings that they believe to be connected.
Taking all this into account, the total number of victims now stands at more than 100, and it may still be growing.
Like so many others early sunday morning, Susan Caryl didn't think much of that strange noise.
"It sounded like a bucket. Somebody had turned over a bucket and was dragging it," she said. "That's why I thought maybe a cat hit the vent for the dryer or something."
Hours later, like so many others, she and her husband brad considered themselves unlucky and alone.
"I came out to get the paper and found glass all over my driveway here and was a little upset," said Brad Caryl.
Now, police say that couldn't be further from the truth.
"We're bringing them together to find out they are related, and to go after whoever is responsible," said Sergeant Chris Widmer.
He says investigators now believe that initial group of shootings, 30-40 near Broadway and Houghton, was just the beginning.
He says that same morning, that same group hit another 30 or so vehicles off Pantano Road between Stella and Escalante.
There were also five near 22nd and oak park and three in the Rita Ranch neighborhood.
But wait. There's more.
Police records from a week ago, show 15 to 20 similar shootings, near Broadway & Wilmot and Broadway & Kolb.
If they are linked, that brings the total number of victims to more than 100.
"We're talking in the tens of thousands of dollars now," said Widmer. "We're definitely looking at felony charges, and we're definitely going to pursue this case, and we're going to try and find those responsible."
Among them: the Caryls, who are dipping into their savings to fix their car, something they say these criminals haven't considered.
"With the random hits that they did, they're just doing it for their own pleasure of some sort, I guess," said Brad.
"(What would you like to say to those responsible?) Grow up. Just grow up and get over it. That's all I want to say to them," said Caryl. "They're idiots."
Police say some of them have surveillance cameras on their homes.
They are in the process of acquiring that footage and say if you see or hear anything suspicious, call them or 88-crime immediately.
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