Things hurled at moving vehicles on Philomath Boulevard

Corvallis police are asking for the public's help in finding whoever is responsible for throwing things at moving vehicles - once even breaking out a window within inches of the person sitting inside.

At least five vehicles have been damaged sometime between 9 p.m. and midnight on successive Monday nights - July 14 and July 21.

Corvallis Police Capt. Dan Hendrickson said the damaged vehicles had dents, deep scratches and windows broken by some kind of projectile - possibly rocks or a pellet gun - hurled in the area of Southwest Philomath Boulevard, between Southwest 15th Street and Southwest 26th Street.

"We're not sure if we're talking about rocks, BBs or pellets," Hendrickson said. "In one instance, it was a tree branch." No projectiles - other than the branch - have been found.

These incidents come on the heels of a window-breaking spree between June 19 and 22 north of Oregon State University. During those four nights, the windows of more than two dozen parked vehicles were shattered as residents slept. Police believe that a BB or pellet gun was used to break out the windows. No suspects or projectiles have yet been found.

"There is no way to connect (the two separate incidents)," Hendrickson said. "But the behavior is similar. They are not respecting people's safety or property."

In most cases, the cars (at which the projectiles were launched) were traveling at speeds up to 50 miles per hour, Hendrickson said. Although no one has been injured, the potential for injury is high. Hendrickson said that the damages are not significant individually, but it adds up to several thousand dollars.

Hendrickson said he is hoping that an alert citizen or someone with information will tip off police before someone is injured.

"In one incident, somebody saw some juveniles in the area," Hendrickson said.

"Kids tend to talk, so maybe a concerned parent will come forward."

Anyone with information about the vandalism can contact officers Brian Stahl or Nick Hurley at 766-6924.